During a ceremony to celebrate the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery and Engineering Troops, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had the opportunity to witness a unique armored vehicle known as the M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV). This U.S.-made vehicle, resembling a combination of a tank and a harvesting machine, will play a crucial role in helping Ukrainian troops clear the extensive minefields built by the Russians.
According to the U.S. Army, the M1150 ABV is a highly mobile and heavily armored minefield and obstacle breaching system. It is equipped with an M1A1 Abrams tank hull, a distinctive turret featuring two Linear Demolition Charge Systems, a Lane Marking System, an Integrated Vision System, and a High Lift Adapter that can mount a Full Width Mine Plow or a Combat Dozer Blade.
The origin of the M1150 ABV in Ukraine is unclear, as it is not specifically mentioned on the Pentagon’s list of items provided to Ukraine. However, it likely falls under the category of “mine clearing equipment” included in the nearly $45 billion in security assistance provided by the Biden Administration.
While the U.S. Marine Corps has been divesting its M1150 ABVs as part of its move away from armor and legacy systems, these vehicles will prove invaluable in Ukraine’s counteroffensive against the Russian forces, which has been hindered by extensive mine fields.
In other news from Ukraine, Ukrainian forces continue to hold a small bridgehead in the town of Krynky despite Russian attempts to expel them. The Russian Defense Ministry claims to have thwarted enemy attempts to gain a foothold on the left bank of the Dnipro River through artillery fire assaults and pre-emptive actions.
The situation on the rest of the front lines remains relatively stagnant, with Ukraine making small advances in certain areas while fending off Russian attempts to advance in others. The Russian irregular forces are forming new assault detachments and offering recruits semi-independence from the Russian Ministry of Defense to incentivize recruitment.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has replaced Maj. Gen. Viktor Khorenko as the head of Ukraine’s special operations forces with Colonel Serhii Lupanchuk. Zelensky has expressed confidence in Lupanchuk’s experience and leadership abilities to strengthen the Special Operations Forces.
There have been hints from the Ukrainian Armed Forces about the development of a new long-range land-attack missile with a range of 700 kilometers. According to Brig. Gen. Serhiy Baranov, this new weapon has already hit targets at that range in tests. The capabilities of this missile are expected to increase in terms of both range and accuracy.
The U.K. Ministry of Defense notes the relative sidelining of tactical air power in recent operations in the south of Ukraine. The defending force has an advantage due to the strong Ukrainian defenses and credible air defenses preventing effective air support for assaults. The geographic size of the conflict has also hindered both sides’ ability to assemble uncommitted striking forces.
Amidst the ongoing conflict, the intensity of fighting around Avdiivka is captured in a video compilation showing multiple Russian attacks being repelled by Ukrainian defenders. Additionally, a photo allegedly depicting the aftermath of a Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian airbase at Kulbakino shows wreckage of Ukrainian MiG-29 fighters armed with R-27/AA-10 Alamo air-to-air missiles.
In conclusion, the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery and Engineering Troops ceremony provided President Zelensky with the opportunity to observe the unique M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle, which will be instrumental in clearing the extensive minefields in Ukraine. The conflict with Russia continues, with ongoing battles in various regions and developments in Ukrainian military capabilities.
