There are a lot of different types of general purpose machine guns in use in Ukraine and one of the most surprising to appear so far is the M60. The first appearance of an M60 in Ukraine came in September 2024, when the 23rd Mechanised Brigade shared an album of training photos which included an individual firing an M60D.
A month later the same brigade shared another photograph of the M60D. The M60D is usually mounted on helicopters as a door gun and as such it has been adapted with no stock or traditional rear sight, instead it has a pair of rear spade grips and a large ring sight. It’s unclear how many M60Ds are in Ukraine or where the guns originated from as a number of potential donor countries operate M60Ds as door guns. It may be the case that a donor nation provided the gun aboard a donated helicopter, we have previously seen French AANF-1 GPMGs appear in Ukraine – likely supplied with VAB APCs. Alternatively, the gun(s) may simply have been provided by a donor for whom it was surplus to requirements and ready for disposal.
Another sighting of an M60D came in May 2025, when the 65th Mechanized Brigade shared a series of photographs of a machine gun team training with one of the guns. Sadly, no markings are visible to confirm if this might be the same gun as previously seen with the 23rd Mechanised Brigade.
The M60D is not the easiest variant to utilise in a ground role with the absence of a stock to shoulder the weapon making it somewhat difficult to aim and keep on target while firing. It does have a folding carry handle but it also had an exposed trigger linkage which is far from ideal for ground use. The best use for this variant would probably be as a pintle-mounted an anti-air gun.
Most recently a new variant of the M60 was seen in a photo posted, on 18 July, by the 20th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems “K-2”. The gun appears to be either an M60E3 or an M60E4, with what appears to be a 22 inch barrel, the first ground role variant to be seen in-country. As with the M60Ds it is unclear where this M60 may have originated from, there are only a small number of nations which operate the weapons which may have donated it. Elements of the Czech Republic’s special operations forces operate E4s in small numbers but its unclear if this is the source of the gun seen in the recent photo.
It remains unclear just how many of the various variants of M60 are on the ground in Ukraine and where they came from but it is one of the weapons that I’ll continue to track, if you spot any let me know!
Update 12/10/25:
Serhii Filimonov, a member of the 1st Assault Regiment (Da Vinci Wolves), has shared several photos that appear to include an M60E4.
There is also a short video of him firing the weapon. Below is a still from the video.
Update – 17/11/25:
On 14 November, Raven Group, affiliated with the Ukrainian Directorate of Intelligence, shared a serious of range photos featuring an M60E4 (in what appears to be the Mk43 Mod 0 configuration). [H/t to Praise the Steph].
Support Us: If you enjoyed this video and article please consider supporting our work here. We have some great perks available for Patreon Supporters – including early access to custom stickers and early access to videos! Thank you for your support!
On 24 July the ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand flared into an armed conflict. Four days later a ceasefire was announced following negotiations, at the time of publication the ceasefire is still in effect. A number of photos and video taken during the fighting were shared online and they feature an interesting mix of small arms which I thought would be a good topic for an article/video.
Broadly speaking the Royal Thai Army is predominantly equipped with what could be described as Western small arms such a M16-pattern rifles and FN MAGs while the Royal Cambodian Army largely uses former Combloc-type weapons such as the Type 56 AK-pattern rifle and the Type 69 RPG, both produced by China.
Thai Armed Forces
The standard issue service rifle of the Royal Thai Army for many years has been the M16, many of the combatants seen in imagery from the conflict were seen with M16A1, A2 and A4s. In a prominent video that surfaced on 26 July, a Thai combatant was filmed firing an M203 40mm grenade launcher mounted on a very well worn M16A1. A number of M16A1s, including one mounted with an M203, were also seen in a photograph of a group of Thai troops believed to be Thahan Phran (Border Rangers). The photo also shows at least one FN MAG general purpose machine gun. Another photo shared on 28 July by a member of the Thahan Phran showed a dug out in the front lines with two M16A1s and a RPD-pattern light machine gun visible. A video posted after the ceasefire showed a squad of the Border Rangers firing M16A1s from what appears to be a cave.
Thai combatant with M16A4 & M203 (via social media)
Members of a Thai 120mm mortar crew were also seen equipped with slung M16A2s, loaded with PMAGS, in a short video said to be filmed during the border clashes. It is worth noting that a considerable amount of imagery and footage filmed during past skirmishes and past exercises was shared during the height of the conflict. This is something to bear in mind when considering the veracity of imagery.
Thai combatant with an older M16A1 & M203 (via social media)
A considerable proportion of the available imagery shows what appear to be M16A4s with non-railed, A2-style, handguards. Numerous photos of Thai infantry posing at border markers shows them equipped with M16A4s while a video of Thai combatants taking shelter during Cambodian shelling on 25 July also featured M16A4s.
What appears to be an M16A4, with a quad-rail forend, was seen in another clip of Thai troops firing from a bunker. The rifle is equipped with an 40mm M203 under-barrel grenade launcher, another soldier hands the grenadier what looks to be an M433 HEDP grenade. On the other side of the bunker a soldier with an M16A2 is laying down suppressive fire and also showering the grenadier with spent brass. On the bunker’s embrasure another M16 is sat, seemingly with a non-railed forend but a railed upper receiver. An additional photo of the same personnel was also shared.
Thai Rangers arms with a mix of Colt M4s and Negev NG-5s (via social media)
M4-pattern carbines have also been seen, with Thai forces engaged in operations around Phu Makhuea, in Si Sa Ket Province, seen in various photos, to have what may be Colt M4 Monolithic carbines. These rifles are believed to be largely used by specialised troops. Another photo said to be taken at Phu Makhuea shows a platoon of well equipped Thai troops believed to be Thai Rangers – a special operations light infantry unit. They are equipped with what appear to be Colt M5s with 14.5 inch barrels, topped with Aimpoint CompM4s. Also seen in the photo are at least three IWI NEGEV NG-5, also equipped with Aimpoint CompM4s. A video showing the same group during a flag raising was also shared online. In the footage we can see the Colt M5s as well as an FN MAG. A photo released later gives us the best look at the Rangers kit, in contrast to the modern Western kit, in the centre of the photo is a Chinese Type 69 RPG, its unclear if this was Ranger kit or a captured weapon.
On the 26 July, the Royal Thai Army’s social media channels shared photos of sappers from the Burapha Task Force, the 1st Army Area. These personnel are seen to be equipped with the ubiquitous M16A2-pattern rifles but also IWI TAR-21 Tavors topped with Meprolight M21s. The Tavor was also seen in a short video said to be Thai troops deploying to the border. In the same video three FN Minimi Mk1 light machine guns and numerous M16-pattern rifles can be seen.
Thai Army engineers with TAR-21s (via Thai Army)
Another NEGEV NG-5 was seen in a video shared on 25 July, the gun is seen firing inside a bunker alongside an assistant gunner with what appears to be an M16A2. In addition to the Tavor and NEGEV, another weapon of Israeli origin seen in use during the conflict was a 7.62x51mm IWI Galil Sniper rifle. A Thai combatant was filmed firing on of these rifles while also using his radio to call in targets.
A brief clip of a Thai soldier firing what may be an STK-40 automatic grenade launcher also emerged. The STK-40 is produced by ST Engineering Land Systems (formerly CIS) the crew suffer a stoppage and struggle to clear it after firing an initial burst.
Thai Border Rangers with M16A1s (via social media)
Intriguingly, in another video a pair of Thai troops are seen operating a Chinese-made 82mm PW-78 recoilless gun. Thai troops have also been seen carrying RPG-7 grenades, indicating continued RPG-7 or Chinese Type 69 use in some units. This video also features another M16A1 with M203 and an FN MAG machine gun.
Cambodian Armed Forces
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces also fielded an interesting selection of small arms and light weapons. Most troops were seen armed with variants of the Chinese-manufactured Type 56 AK-pattern rifle. This includes standard Type 56s with their fixed wooden stocks, under-folding Type 56-1s and side-folding Type 56-2s.
Cambodian border troops with a mix of Chinese Type 56s and Norinco CQ-B rifles (via social media)
A Type 56-1, with its under-folding stock, is clearly seen in a short video shared by a Cambodian infantryman who filmed himself in a trench position. It was also seen in numerousvideos of Cambodian artillery crews manning MLRSs. Cambodian troops on the border were also seen armed with both Type 56-1s and Type 56-2s equipped with Norinco LG2 under-barrel grenade launchers. Type 56-2s were also seen briefly in a video filmed from a Cambodian PKM machine gun position on 26 July.
Cambodian troops wuth Chinese Type 56s (one with an LG2 UBGL) (via social media)
M16-pattern rifles have also been seen in use with Cambodian forces with Chinese-produced Norinco CQ series rifles seen in numerous images. A Thai social media page shared a series of photographs of Cambodian troops taken at the start of July. The photos show the Cambodian personnel equipped with a mix of brand new CQ-B rifles, Type 56-1s and Type 56-2s. The new Norinco-manufactured CQ-B is essentially a copy of the M16A3, was seen in numerous photographs and in one image a Cambodian soldier has mounted a magnified optic to the upper receiver rail.
Cambodia weapons reportedly captured by Thai forces (via social media)
Also seen in one of the early July photos are Norinco LG4 rotary manual grenade launchers these are also seen in a number of images and videos from the conflict. A video posted by Cambodian troops on the border, on the 24 July, shows one combatant with an LG4 and another with a Type 69 RPG. In another photo dating from around the 25 July, a Cambodian soldier is seen with an LG4 and a pair of binoculars.
Five LG4s were seen in a photograph of arms and equipment reportedly captured by Thai troops. Other equipment in the photo includes: two Type 56s, 2 Type 56-1s and a Type 56-2. Several TT-33 pattern pistols are visible alongside what is likely a Norinco CQ-B and a Type 69 RPG.
Cambodian combatant with a Type 81 LMG (via social media)
Cambodian troops were seen with significant numbers of Type 69 RPGs. In one widely shared video a Cambodian soldier is seen firing a Type 69 from the cover of a trench position. In another video of the same soldier he is seen firing a Type 81 7.62×39mm light machine gun, loaded with a drum magazine, before again firing a Type 69. A third video of what may be the same machine gunner gives us a longer look at the Type 81 in action. In another short video Chinese-produced PF69-40 high-explosive incendiary RPG projectiles for the Type 69 were seen. Another clip shows a Cambodian soldier firing a Type 69 near a PKM-pattern machine gun position, its difficult to be certain but the gun may be a Chinese Type 80 PKM-clone. Another PKM-pattern gun and a pair of Type 69s were seen in a video filmed in a Cambodian position on 24 July. Next to the Type 69s is a row of readied ammunition.
Cambodian troops with Type 69 RPGs & an LG4 (via social media)
In terms of heavier support weapons footage said to have been filmed on the 25 July, showed Cambodian troops in a defensive position blind-firing a Chinese-made W85-QJC-88 12.7mm heavy machine gun. While a photo posted by a Cambodian combatant on 25 July appears to include a B-10 or Type 65 82mm recoilless rifle.
The available imagery from the brief conflict shows a fascinatingly varied and contrasting selection of small arms and light weapons.
While pistols may not feature heavily on combat footage from the ongoing war in Ukraine, sidearms continue to be a key piece of equipment for many combatants. Many different types of pistol are in use in Ukraine, everything from the venerable TT-33 and Makarov to Glock 19s and Ukrainian-made Forts. Many nations supporting Ukraine have provided pistols as aid, one of these is Germany, in this article/video we’ll look at the supply and issuing of the Heckler & Koch SFP9.
Introduced in 2014, the SFP9, or VP9 as its known in the US, is a 9x19mm striker-fired polymer-framed pistol. It uses the ubiquitous short recoil, tilting barrel action and feeds from 15, 17 or 20 round magazines and is in service with numerous law enforcement agencies and the Lithuanian armed forces. Before we examine some of the sighting of the pistols in Ukraine it’s also worth noting that HK pistols, though rare, have been commercially available in Ukraine for some time and some of the SFP9s we’ll discuss in this article/video may have been procured privately by combatants.
As early as March 2023, the German government announced its intentions to provide Ukraine with 500 HK SFP9 pistols. The delivery of this first batch of pistols was announced on 16 March. Despite this I haven’t been able to find visual evidence of the pistols presence in Ukraine until February 2024, when a photo of a SFP9 OR – or ‘optics ready’ pistol was shared by a combatant. The pistol has an Olight weapon light and a red dot.
In July 2024, a Ukrainian combatant, believed to be attached to the SSO’s 73rd Naval Special Operations Center, shared a photograph showing him carrying a SFP9 as well as a Daniel Defense carbine.
In October 2024, the confirmed number of pistols provided to Ukraine jumped significantly to 3,500, indicating significant transfers of SFP9s to Ukraine. Following this the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR MO)’s Revanche International unit, subordinate to Revanche Tactical Group shared an instagram story on 9 November, showing one of the pistols at a range. The pistol, however, is marked VP9 rather than SFP9. VP9 is the US commercial name for the pistol.
On 11 November a member of the HUR’s Kraken Regiment shared a photo of another VP9 mounted with a Veridian X5L weapon light. A month later on 19 December, another Ukrainian combatant shared a range photo of a trio of pistols including a Russian MP-443 ‘Grach’, a Glock 17 Gen 4 and a new SFP9.
On 25 January 2025, ORKOVNET, the YouTube channel of the Ukrainian Orkov gunstore, shared a short range video of a VP9 marked pistol noting that the pistols were now in Ukrainian service.
An Instagram page affiliated with the HUR’s Special Purpose Unit “Timur” shared a series of photos from a range session on 3 February. One of the photos included an SFP9 SD with a threaded suppressor-ready barrel.
On 19 March a combatant with a reconnaissance and UAV team within the Special Operations Forces of the HUR MO shared a photo of a holstered SFP9 alongside a SIG P320.
A member of HUR MO Timur’s Spectre 33 unit posted several photos in early Spring 2025 featuring an SFP9 OR, with one photo showing mounted with a A-Tec PMM6 suppressor.
In April, a Japanese volunteer with one of the HUR International Legion teams shared photos of a new VP9-marked pistol. He noted that while he liked the pistol he preferred Glock triggers and he confirmed that his pistol was shipped with 17 round magazines.
On 6 April, a member of the GUR’s Revanche Tactical Group / Advanced Combat Group shared a photo showcasing a host of small arms from their armoury including new HK433s, HK416s, a UAR-10, CZ and Glock pistols and a pair of HK SFP9s.
A week later DW News shared a report on a Ukrainian camp where adolescents can receive training. From the small arms seen in the short report, including an HK416A8 and an SFP9 indicate the camp may have been run by HUR personnel.
Later in April an Instagram page affiliated with the Revanche Tactical Group shared a photo of a holstered SFP9 and another photo of one of the pistols at the range alongside a Daniel Defense carbine was shared on 23 April by the unit’s medical team.
Another probable SFP9 can be seen in a photo, posted on 6 May, by a volunteer aid organisation, in the photo members of a HUR MO International Legion unit receive gas masks somewhere in the Zaporizhzhia region. Most recently, the pistols featured in a HUR MO International Legion training video posted on 10 May. The video shows a pair of combatants firing SFP9s at the range.
Iin mid-July, members of the 6th Separate SSO Ranger Regiment were photographed training with what appear to be SFP9s. At the end of July, a member of the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center shared a video and several photos of a brand new 2025-production SFP9 OR with a threaded barrel and suppressor-height sights. Unlike the other pistols seen so far, this SFP9 appears to have an OD green frame. From the video, it seems the pistol shipped with a 17 and a 20-round magazine as well as an Aimpoint ACRO P2 and a Streamlight TLR-8X. Several days later this was followed by a photo from another member of the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center who shared a photo of a pair of OD Green SFP9 ORs both with Aimpoint ACROs and one with a Streamlight (possibly the pistol seen earlier).
The pistols were not taken from German military stores, instead the deliveries were drawn from industry stocks and financed by German government funds. This is supported by the presence of VP9-marked pistols which indicate some of the pistols shipped were pulled from HK production that was planned for the US market. On the 17 April, the German government announce it would no longer be publicly updating its list of aid to Ukraine. As of April 2025, Germany has provided 3,500 HK SFP9s to Ukraine.
It appears from the available visual evidence that at least a portion of the 3,500 HK pistols have been provided to Ukraine’s HUR MO direct action teams with some also appearing in the hands of elements of the SSO. Both VP9 and SFP9-marked guns have been seen in-country with at least a portion of them being SFP9 ORs, with slides cut for mounting optics. Given the very infrequent imagery of operational pistol use it is difficult to confirm uses of the SFP9s in the field with the majority of imagery available stemming from training sessions.
Special thanks to Mathias, Hao, deaidua.org, & Dikobraz for their help with this video.
In my previous article/video examining the development of Hoverboard UGVs, I mentioned an unmanned ground vehicle developed by the HUR’s International Legion. The ‘LEGIT’ UGV was unveiled in a short social media video on 28 June. The video showed the small UGV test firing a pair of Bulgarian Bullspike RPGs into a building. In this article/video we’ll explore examples of what I’m calling RPG-UGVs.
LEGIT is far from the first UGV to be seen equipped with an anti-armour weapon. The first I’ve come across is a short clip of a Ukrainian UGV being demonstrated with an expended RPG-22 mounted. The clip dates from September 2022, the drone does not appear to have any means of traversing the RPG but may have an elevation mechanism. The UGV has a camera mounted for navigation and presumably aiming.
Ukrainian UGV mounted with a remote weapon station with a PKT and two RPG-7s (via social media)
In early January 2023, Russian unmanned systems developers, Avtobot, shared a photograph of an RPG-7 being mounted on a prototype drone. Several days later they shared another photo, this time showing four RPG-26s mounted on a frame work with a green laser below them seemingly to aid aiming. How effective this would be is unclear and its the only time I’ve seen a laser mounted on an RPG-UGV.
In February 2023, Avtobot, shared a video of a heavily armed 6×6 wheeled drone, the Autobot 5, which appears to utilise hoverboard components. The drone is armed with PKT machine gun, a pair of RPG-7s and a pair of RPG-26s. In the test footage included in the video the drone is seen firing its machine gun and both the RPG-7 and RPG-26. There appear to be optical sensors mounted below the machine gun which enable aiming of the weapon systems. Noteably in one of the RPG-7 test firings the backblast blows off what appears to be a camera mounted to the rear of the drone.
At the beginning of March, Avtobot also shared a video showcasing the Autobot 6.2 (‘MINIGRAD’). The six-wheeled Autobot 6.2 is seen mounted with 12 RPGs, arrayed in rows of four. The caption notes that the system can be armed with a variety of RPG systems including: RPG-18/26/27, RPG-7 and even RPOs. In the caption Avtobot explain that the Minigrad can be used can either “individually to suppress fortified areas, destroy various equipment and infantry” and along with other UGVs. The footage does not show a test firing.
Avtobot’s Autobot 6.2 ‘MINIGRAD’ (via social media)
Several weeks later, Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, shared an a series of photos on Telegram showing a demonstration of various unmanned systems. These photos included one of a 4 wheeled UGV equipped with two RPG-7s and a PKT machine gun.
On the 22 March, Avtobot shared a video showcasing a smaller four-wheeled armed with a machine gun and RPG-7. Interestingly, the caption notes that this was designed as a defensive drone. It’s also interesting to see the drone operated with a companion drone for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance. The video shows the drone test firing both the PKT and RPG-7 as well as entering and operating inside a building.
On 8 May, a photograph of a larger Russian UGV surfaced, claimed to be operating in Ukraine, the UGV appears to be a Platform-M, a ground drone developed in the 2010s by the Research Technological Institute “Progress”, in Izhevsk. The Platform-M is equipped with a PKT machine gun and can be armed with four single-use RPGs.
BRM-1 seen in May 2023, equipped with six RPGs and its own little anti-drone cage (via social media)
On 8 July 2023, in one of their last videos shared on Telegram, Avtobot showcased the small four-wheeled UGV again, this time showing one equipped with an RPG-7 and the other with a PKT.
In early April 2024, Izvestiareported on a showcase at the Karbyshev Military Engineering Academy which included a range of unmanned ground systems. One of these appears to be a small four-wheeled UGV capable of being mounted with four single-use RPGs. I’ve been unable to find further details on the model seen in the photo.
Temerland is a Ukrainian company specialising in unmanned ground systems which has been operating since around 2021 developing their GNOM UGV. In April 2023, they shared a concept image of a UGV equipped with two RPG-7s. In December 2024 they posted a video showing the drone test firing its mounted PKM, notable its RPG-7 mounts are present but empty. Two years later in March 2025, they were featured in a Ukrainian TSN tv news piece showing a Gnom-VP21 UGV equipped with a PKM and two RPG-7s. A month later, on 10 April, they posted a video of the Gnom-VP21 test firing its PKM and RPG-7s at the range. Another version of the Gnom-VP21 with a different chassis configuration was shown in a photo shared in October 2024, while different it still has mounts for a PKM and an RPG-7.
65th Mechanised Brigade testing a Temerland Gnom-2 (via social media)
In late 2024, a series of small UGVs developed by the Omsk Armored Engineering Institute were highlighted in a Russian army report. These small, transportable and quick deployable drones include a number of variants including the ‘Shmel’ variant of the T-117, which is equipped with four RPG-7s and can be equipped with RPO-As.
In early April 2025, Ukraine’s 65th Mechanised Brigade shared a series of photographs showing the testing of a Temerland UGV armed with a PKM and an RPG-7, the caption describes it as a ‘Gnom-2’, a configuration similar to that seen in October 2024. This may indicate that Temerland’s Gnom UGVs are beginning to be tested by units of the Ukrainian armed forces.
On 6 April, the Russian Ministry of Defence and Russian news outlet Zvezda shared videos of the testing of tracked UGVs. One of the variants seen is equipped with five RPG-7s, though there appears to be mounts for another row of five on the bottom.
In late June a team from the Ukrainian 93rd Mechanised Brigade shared a video showing a logistics UGV mounted with a UB-16-57 57mm rocket launcher from a helicopter. The video shows the DIY multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) firing a series of 57mm rockets, the video does not show how the system is aimed but it does illustrate the recoil the drone experiences on firing.
GUR Legion’s LEGIT UGV with Bullspike RPGs (via social media)
Late June saw the unveiling of the aforementioned LEGIT, a small tracked UGV co-developed by operators and engineers from the HUR Legion’s Cyclone unmanned systems team. LEGIT is a multi-purpose drone capable of undertaking logistics and kamikaze roles. The video shows the LEGIT UGV armed with a pair of Bulgarian Bullspike RPGs on an articulated mount which can be raised and lowered to aim, while traverse is seemingly handled by manoeuvring the drone. The video concludes showing the RPG-UGV test firing at a building. No combat footage of LEGIT has surfaced yet.
Expanding on the concept of mounting a rocket launching system on a UGV, in early July 2025, the Ukrainian 92nd Assault Brigade created a miniature multiple launch rocket system on a cargo carrying UGV. The system has 15 tubes and seemingly fires 57mm rockets, the video doesn’t show the system in use and its unclear how it is aimed.
An improvised system with a UB-16-57 launcher mounted on a UGV (via social media)
Much like the RPG-armed aerial drones it appears that for now the kamikaze variants of UGVs are much more prevalent. The available imagery of UGVs actually in action largely shows either the kamikazes or drones equipped with remote machine guns. It seems that the ability to suppress a target with machine gun fire may be seen in many operational situations as the more useful payload for UGVs.
In recent weeks Russia has begun deploying North Korean-manufactured 107mm multiple rocket launch systems. These small rocket launchers are the latest of the North Korean weapon systems to enter Russian service.
The Type 75 is a copy of China’s Type 63 multiple rocket launcher, is a small towed, 12-tube system which an fire a variety of 107mm ammunition. The system was first sighted in Ukraine in early June, though its likely been in use since Spring 2025.
A Type 75 in Russian service (via social media)
The first footage reportedly shows a crew training with the Type 75 while the second shows the Type 75 being fired from concealment within a tree line. Several days later on 15 June, photographs of a Type 75 being mounted on the bed of a UAZ utility van were posted.
Russian Channel One correspondent Dmitry Kulko shared footage of a Type 75 in action on the 25 June. In his post Kulko notes that the weapon system has a range of 8.5km and is being used with high explosive fragmentation rockets.
Russian mechanics mounting a Type 75 on a UAZ truck (via social media)
On 27 June, a close up photograph of the system was shared on telegram. A week later on 5 July, a Russian Type 75 team shared video of them deploying and operating the system in the field. The video shows the heavily camouflaged MLRS being towed by an unmanned ground vehicle and then being loaded and fired. Deployment with a UGV is sensible as the system unloaded weighs over 600kg and would otherwise require a larger, more noticeable vehicle to move it. The video concludes with some ISR drone footage which is implied to be the impacts on target.
A Type 75 in Russian service firing from a tree line, July 2025 (via social media)
On 12 July, Ukraine’s 1st Separate Presidential Brigade shared footage claiming the first destruction of a Type 75 by drone-dropped ordnance. The videos caption notes that the system was spotted and engaged in the Kup’yansk region.
The Type 75 is just one of the latest in a series of weapon systems North Korea have provided to Russia, other aid includes ammunition for various artillery systems and more complex rocket artillery systems like the M1991 240mm MLRS.
Update – 18/7/25:
Ukraine’s 429th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems shared footage of a strike on a North Korean-supplied Type 75 multiple launch rocket system.
Ukraine's 429th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems shared footage of a strike on a North Korean-supplied Type 75 multiple launch rocket system.
Over the past 12 months various Russian units have been developing and deploying their own home-made, makeshift ground kamikazes. These have been made out of commercially available ‘hoverboards’, hoverboard is a bit of a misnomer but its easier than saying two-wheeled, balancing board. In Russian they’re known as гироскутеры or ‘gyroscooters’.
Russian military workshops in various sectors have developed remote-controlled ground drones; in military terms, these are a very basic sort of unmanned ground vehicle. Russian forces have deployed them to carry a variety of payloads, including: smoke generators, supplies, remotely detonated explosive devices and even mine rollers.
In the simplest terms, the workshops constructing the Hoverboard UGVs typically take two commercially available self-balancing hoverboards and bolt them together. They retrofit a remote control receiver and connections to interact with the hoverboard’s motors.
A small Russian Kamikaze drone, 2023 (via social media)
Experimentation with unmanned ground vehicles by both sides has been ongoing since 2022 though it has been largely outpaced by developments in aerial drones the UGVs have found their niches and continued to evolve. One of the earliest videos of a UGV which likely utilised hoverboard components I was able to find dates to mid-March 2023, when a Ukrainian team deployed a UGV loaded with a MON-90 and additional explosives in the Bakhmut area. Similarly, at the same time Russian units were also developing small kamikaze UGVs such as the ∆V-04, a one-way UGV which delivers a TM-62 (or similar) to a target. Developed by the Russian Avtobot group the drone appears to utilise hoverboard components.
On 7 May, a small Russian Telegram page, Stavropol Fighter, posted a workshop video showing what the caption describes as: “a combat radio-controlled vehicle (BRM-1)” which has a range of up to 1km and can be used in a variety of roles including casualty evacuation, one-way munition and the launching of anti-personnel mines. The post also called for donations of components including: “Old scooters, gyro scooters, video cameras, transceivers, etc.”
A couple of months later in July, the same channel showed another UGV similar to the BRM-1 seen in May, equipped with six RPGs (though no control system is visible) and its own little anti-drone (cope) cage. It was also seen in another photo posted on the 27 July. A day later they also shared a video showing the construction of a casualty evacuation UGV based on a pair of Hoverboards.
Hoverboards donated by Russian civilians (via social media)
In September, another video surface which shows a pair of hoverboards with their casings removed, connected by a pair of metal braces and a board of wood which the unit’ s batteries and a control box have been mounted. In the video a Russian individual explains it can be used to carry mines up to an approximate range of 5km.
While developments no doubt continued the next reference to the use of hoverboards I came across was a video posted at the end of February 2024, calling for the donation of old, unwanted hoverboards with the caption noting [machine translated] “It doesn’t have to be new! Old, broken, unnecessary, lying in the closet! This will help our team and our country bring the victory closer!”
On 11 May, the Russian Telegram page, Two Majors, also made a request for old hoverboards, with the video showing a number of hoverboards adapted in various ways, one had an outrigger with caster wheels fitted, while another much more sophisticated UGV has combined three hoverboards together and added tracks. The caption for the video read [machine translated]: “do you have an old hoverboard gathering dust somewhere and want to help the Army? Send it to us! All gyroscooters will be regularly sent to the Front, and there, on site, they will be converted into self-propelled units. Several weeks later the channel shared a video of donated hoverboards arriving and being unloaded.
At the start of June, Russian media outlet Sputnik shared a video showing a small logistics UGV carrying a payload of mortar rounds. The drone appears to be utilising components from hoverboards. The video concludes with a drone feed video showing the UGV being used as a kamikaze, detonating on a treeline position.
A typical hoverboard UGV being assembled (via social media)
On 6 June, Russian media outlet Izvestiareported on a small logistics UGV made to carry ammunition and supplies to forward positions. The video shows a small UGV is based on the components of a pair of hoverboards but has larger wheels, a cargo space and new control receivers. The UGV was built by members of the 110th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade of the then-1st Donetsk Army Corps.
On 15 June, Two Majors posted a short video showcasing the testing of what they jokingly call a ‘combat cockroach’ showing it travelling over rough ground – interestingly, it appears to be somewhat centrally articulated allowing the axles to traverse uneven ground. The caption notes that it can carry “up to 100 kg” over around 2km but some refinement is still needed. The video shows the drone with a UDSh smoke generator mounted, these share the same dimensions as TM-62 anti-tank mines.
On 22 June, the same Telegram channel shared a video showing the disassembly and modification of donated hoverboards. The video shows Russian technicians removing casings, rewiring the boards and testing connections and motors.
A look inside a Russian tracked drone showing Hoverboard components inside (via social media)
A day later, on 23 June, the channel shared another video of a completed hoverboard drone with a raised cargo bed with a UDSh smoke generator mounted. The video shows the UGV travelling down a track and then the UDSh being remotely ignited. This use case is interesting as it could be used to screen other hoverboard UGVs with explosive payloads or supplies, or cover an infantry assault.
In early July, another video, shared by Two Majors shows a batch of five completed and painted Hoverboard UGVs ready for use as kamikaze drones. During the same video we get a rare look inside a larger tracked UGV and we can see that they also use hoverboard components. The Two Majors groups’ website also added a page about the Kamikaze Hoverboards. On 7 July, they shared a video of the drones being painted using foliage to create a camouflage pattern.
Towards the end of July, the channel shared two more videos showing a more complete picture of how the Kamikaze Hoverboards are built, showing the construction, the testing and the test detonation of one of the drones. In the videos we see the hoverboards being disassembled, their wiring being accessed and the addition of connecting struts added between the two hoverboards. The test footage then shows a drone covering rough ground and going along a road before seemingly detonating next to a vehicles.
On 9 August, the group shared a video of a delivery of more donated Hoverboards with the caption stating [machine translated]: “Gyro scooters continue to arrive for kamikaze cars from all over Russia. We pick them up from the pick-up point in large batches and immediately take them to production. More than one such batch has already arrived for assembly.” The same day they confirmed that the first Hoverboard drones had reached combat units.
A selection of Two Majors’ hoverbaord-based ground drones, including: Reece, cargo and kamikaze variants (via social media)
A video posted on the 11 August by the Archangel Legion Foundation nicely illustrates the variety of different models of Hoverboards which have been donated and procured for conversion. On 10 October, Two Majors shared a 1 minute 48 second long video showing the Hoverboard Kamikazes in action with a series of drone videos showing the UGVs travelling to targets and detonating. A day later, on 11 October, the ‘Reliable Rear’ Foundation shared a video showing a drone travel towards a treeline before detonating. The caption notes that the drone has been used for demining and that they have constructed six of the drones from 17 donated hoverboards. This illustrates that there are numerous Russian organisations and workshops constructing the Hoverboard drones.
In a 17 October post, Two Majors noted that the 33rd Separate Rear Logistics Battalion in the Sobinsky District of Vladimir Oblast had been actively collecting Hoverboards with the accompanying video showing at least 21 hoverboards of various models.
Later in October, Two Majors unveiled a new development for the Hoverboard UGVs, a mine-clearing variant designed to clear anti-personnel mines using a small roller mounted ahead of the UGV. At the very end of the month, the channel shared a video of a Hoverboard Kamikaze with an incendiary payload deployed against what the post claims is a Ukrainian position.
The following month the channel shared further footage of what is suggested to be a combat deployment of the Hoverboard UGVs in the one-way munition role. The UGVs appear to have been deployed by Russia’s 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade with the footage showing two kamikaze drone detonations. In both clips the UGVs’ progress is followed by a video feed from an overhead drone, it is seen travelling across open ground towards a treeline before detonating.
On 11 October, testing footage of a pair of small UGV was shared by the Russian telegram channel FPV_vyZOV. The clip showed two small tracked UGVs being tested in some shallow water. The video’s caption notes that the majority of the components for the drone originated in Russia but that motors and components from Hoverboards were acquired from China. The drone is reportedly able to carry up to 100kg of payload.
It appears that the hoverboards have also enabled the continued development of more robust, specialised UGVs such as a surveillance UGV which is reportedly based on the technology and parts of hoverboards but has a new chassis. This was seen in a video shared by the Two Majors channel on the 12 October, the detailed 2 minute video gives a good look at the UGV from multiple angles, showing the UGV and its sensor mast up close. The drone does not use the actual bodies and motor-wheels of the Hoverboards directly, instead it uses components from the boards, it also features a telescoping mast which can be raised and lowered.
BRM-1 seen in May 2023, equipped with six RPGs and its own little anti-drone cage (via social media)
On the 8 November, Two Majors shared video showing the manufacture of the drones, showing piles of components and Hoverboards being modified with new wheels, motors and augmentations to their wiring. The video ends by showing several different variations of UGV all based on the hoverboards. These include UGVs with cargo beds, UGVs designed to carry mines and explosive devices, a mine-clearing variant and a UGV with a sensor mast for reconnaissance.
In a video thanking people for their Hoverboard donations, posted on 22 November, the same collection of Hoverboard UGVs is seen. The video gives us a longer look at the different variants developed by Two Majors.The variants include the reconnaissance UGV, a couple of UGVs with a mine roller for demining, five cargo-carrying variants and four capable of carrying anti-tank mines or smoke generators.
A photograph and a short clip posted to the WagNer Сапëр Telegram channel on 10 February 2025, showed the assembly and testing of another Hoverboard UGV. In the imagery, we can see the UGV without its top cover with its battery, motors and circuits exposed.
A week or so later another Russian channel shared a video showing the collection of donated hoverboards ready for conversion. This indicates that Russian efforts to produce these home-made UGVs are ongoing in a number of regions, personnel are seen loading three hoverboards onto the back of a truck.
On 6 March, Ukrainian journalist Yuri Butusov shared a video from men of the Russian 177th Marine Regiment which showed a logistics variant of the Hoverboard UGV with cargo bed. This is another example of a UGV which uses hoverboard components on a custom built chassis rather than simply bolting several units together. Text in the video appeals for more scooters, in any condition, for use as parts to build more of the cargo UGVs.
In late April a video of Russian troops laughing as a combatant on a hoverboard pushes a two-wheeled cart full of supplies was shared. The fact that the hoverboard appears to have been attached to the cart suggests that this configuration may have found some practical use.
A typical ‘hoverboard’ drone configuration, with its top covers removed. The mine or smoke projector sits on a board mounted a pair of connecting struts (via social media)
Into May 2025, videos of Hoverboard UGVs continued to be shared on Russian social media channels. On 1 May, a montage of combat footage showing the detonation of a series of the UGVs was shared. While the blasts are substantial, there is no battle damage assessment footage shared to examine the UGVs’ effect downrange despite this the UGVs offer a safer method of delivering substantial explosive payloads to enemy positions without exposing troops. The start of the montage shows a pair of hoverboards bolted together with a TM-62 anti-tank mine as payload. Depending on the variant TM-62s mine are packed with 7.5kg (17lbs) of explosive and is normally centrally fuzed by a mechanical MVCh-62 pressure fuze. It is a High-Explosive Blast (HE-Blast) mine typically with a TNT filling. In this case they are likely command detonated electrically.
Small unmanned ground vehicles are proliferating on both sides, be it the hoverboard-based drones or other small wheeled or tracked UGVs. There appears to be more than a handful of Ukrainian versions of the Hoverboard UGVs too, several are listed on Ukraine’s new Brave1 Market site. The Bombetel-M is an explosive-carrying UGV which uses a hoverboard with a third wheel attached for stability. It replaces the board’s tyres with metal wheels for improved traction and can carry a TM-62 mine. While Kamikaze UGVs like the Smiley (Smailik) and the Trimmer (Тримінер) clearly utilise hoverboard parts its also likely that other Ukrainian UGVs also utilise elements from hoverboards as they are a readily available source of key components. Small llogistics UGVs like the Horse-S, Cockroach 1K and Carpenter also appear to use hoverboard parts.
More recently on 5 May, a Russian telegram channel, VictoryDrones, shared additional photos hoverboard-based kamikaze drones showing a UGV mounte with a TM-62 mine. The caption notes that these drones have good “stability due to gyroscopes and low cost, which allows them to be used en masse.” The caption also suggests that the “drones can move across rough terrain on the front lines faster than any other ground drones.”
The HUR’s new LEGIT tracked UGV with cargo bed (via social media)
Intriguingly, at the end of June, the HUR’s [Main Directorate of Intelligence] branch of the International Legion announced the production and deployment of a new small UGV called “LEGIT”. The small tracked UGV clearly utilises hoverboard components with the video’s caption explaining that it was co-developed by operators and engineers from the HUR Legion’s Cyclone unmanned systems team in collaboration with specialists. The video shows the LEGIT drone being used to pull cargo in a towed trailer, another is drone being loaded with an explosive payload and driven up to a building and detonated. Finally, the most interesting variant is armed with a pair of Bulgarian Bullspike RPGs on an articulated mount which can be raised and lowered. The video concludes showing the RPG-UGV test firing at a building.
LEGIT mounted with a pair of RPGs (via social media)
This survey is by no means exhaustive but I have spent over a year tracking the development and proliferation of these UGVs as they represent some of the most basic but useful ground drones developed during the war.
The FORT-230 is Ukraine’s 9x19mm submachine gun. Since the start of 2025 these compact personal defence weapons have been seen more and more frequently. The FORT-230 was developed by RPC Fort for military and law enforcement use with development beginning long before Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The FORT-230 first emerged in 2021 when it was showcased as the Arms and Security exposition held in Kyiv. FORT or the Science Industrial Association of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, is Ukraine’s state-owned small arms manufacturer.
Data sheet for the 230, c.2021 (RPC FORT)
According to data from FORT the new 9mm submachine gun is a select-fire, blowback operated weapon which feed from 20 or 30 round proprietary magazines. It has a reported weight of 2.5kg (5.5lbs), a 190mm (7.5in) barrel and an overall length of 400mm (15.7in) (with the stock collapsed) and 600mm (23.6in) with the three-position stock fully deployed. It also had a folding front grip. The weapon’s controls are ambidextrous and has a non-reciprocating, reversible charging handle and it has a stated rate of fire of around 800 rounds per minute.
Ukraine intends to use the FORT-230 to arm some of the personnel currently issued AKS-74 and AKS-74u. These rifles are no longer in production and while Ukraine has large pre-war stocks of small arms dating to the Soviet era these stocks are finite and as the war continues the attrition rate of small arms means new weapons are needed. At 2.5kg (5.5lbs) the FORT-230 is around 500g and 1kg lighter than the AKS-74u and AKS-74 respectively while also being a smaller, more ergonomic package. The selection of a submachine gun chambered in a pistol calibre cartridge does, however, mean a sacrifice in ballistics compared to the 5.45x39mm chambered rifles.
In a video with my friend James Reeves from TFBtv, filmed at IWA 2025, FORT noted that the guns are in service with the Ukrainian national police (including the Kord special operations team), the Ukrainian National Guard and the Ukrainian militaries armoured units.
Combatant from 12th ‘Azov’ Brigade examining FORT-230 (via social media)
The first image to surface of one of the FORT-230s dates from early in the war when a photo of one of the guns, with a FORT-produced suppressor, was shared. This example has well worn finish and a 30 round magazine. The next sighting of one of the guns came in mid-November 2023 with some footage of one of the guns being fired at a range.
It wasn’t until late 2024 and early 2025 that the submachine guns began to appear with troops from various different units suggesting that larger scale production of the guns had begun. In January 2025, members of the 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” appeared in range photos with a FORT-230.
On 2 February another Ukrainian combatant shared a photo featuring a pair of FORT-230s, the location and unit the individuals belong to is unclear. Around the same time a salvage team with Ukrainian National Guard’s 13th Khartiia Brigade were also confirmed to be equipped with the guns.
Artillerymen of 13th Khartiia Brigade Brigade with new FORT-230s (via the brigade’s social media)
In mid-February combatants from the Ukrainian Army’s 3rd Assault Brigade shared videos from range sessions training with new FORT-230s. The clips show the weapons rate of fire and reloading drills. An individual, who may be a combat medic with the 3rd Assault Brigade, also shared several photos of the weapon disassembled giving a good look at the FORT-230s component parts.
On 4 March, the 3011 Unit of the National Guard shared a photograph of an individual posing with a FORT-230. In late March, the 13th Khartiia Brigade also shared photos of a 2S1 self-propelled howitzer crew equipped with brand new FORT-230s.
On the 19 April the same combatant, who may be a member of 3rd Assault Brigade, shared an additional photo of a FORT-230 now painted up in a camouflage scheme.
A painted FORT-230 (via social media)
While it may seem like a step backwards to adopt a 9mm submachine gun as a personal defence weapon in 2025, there is some logic to the selection. The FORT-230 is a locally designed and manufactured weapon system which can be easily put into production and as a personal defence weapon its small size and more compact and ergonomic form factor, compared to AK-patterned carbines, makes sense for air crews, tank crews, gunners, medics and drone operators who don’t immediately need a rifle-calibre weapon. While this argument has its roots in some of the original reasoning behind why the submachine gun rose to prominence with many armies during the later-half of the 20th century it can also be noted that small arms design has advanced and there are rifle-calibre personal defence weapons with similar formfactors and weights now available. The FORT-230, however, is expedient for Ukraine and is probably more than sufficient for many of those likely to be issued them. The FORT-230 may be the last submachine gun to see widespread issue and use during wartime.
A recent report by The Times looking at the UK-led Operation Interflex, an international effort training Ukrainian personnel in the UK, featured a plethora of new photos that suggest the UK has now procured IWI Galil Ace Rifles to aid in the training of Ukrainian troops.
Ukrainian personnel training with Galil Ace 23s, UK, May 2025 (Richard Pohle via Ukrainian General Staff)
Previously, the UK procured a range of AK-pattern rifles in various calibres for use on Op Interflex these have also been supplemented by the purchase of a quantity of Bulgarian Arsenal AR-M9F, 5.56x45mm chambered rifles.
The new photos were taken by Richard Pohle, at a British Army training area in East Anglia and subsequently published by the Ukrainian General Staff. The UK Ministry of Defense states that more than 54,000 Ukrainians have been trained during Op Interflex.
Ukrainian recruits under the supervision of Canadian soldiers from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment practice searching for and identifying booby traps, during Operation UNIFIER on 28 January 2023 in the United Kingdom. (Corporal Eric Greico/Canadian Armed Forces)
The Galil Ace rifles seen in the photos are ACE 23s, the 5.56X45mm chambered variant with an 18.2in (463mm) barrel. These use Galil-pattern magazines rather than NATO STANAG magazines. The rifles are seen equipped with blank firing adaptors and in some photos what appears to be modules for laser engagement training systems.
Member of the Ukrainian National Guard, 2015, with Fort 228 (via social media)
Incidentally, the Ukrainian military is no stranger to Galil Ace pattern rifles having fielded a small number of Fort 228 rifles between 2012 and 2019. These are Galil Aces with markings from Ukrainian manufacturer Fort, their may have been some assembly of the rifles in Ukraine, under license similar to the Fort-marked Tavors used by elements of the Ukrainian armed forces.
The Galil Ace shares a number of design features with AK-pattern rifles and shares some of the same manual of arms. The Galil Ace, however, has a last round hold open, smaller selector levers and ambidextrous features such an ambidextrous charging handle. The UK likely selected the rifle due to some feature commonality, it’s availability and ability to mount a blank firing adapter.
Ukrainian personnel training with Galil Ace 23s, UK, May 2025 (Richard Pohle via Ukrainian General Staff)
Given the length of the training operation and it’s high tempo, with most Interflex infantry courses lasting around seven weeks, it is unsurprising to see additional rifles being fielded. It’s unclear when the Galil Aces were acquired for Interflex and these photographs are the first time they have been seen publicly.
Ukrainian personnel having fun while training, the style of container/house mock-ups and the presence of Galil Ace suggest this was filmed during Op Interflex training in the UK.
On 10 January, Іван Савельєв, a Ukrainian veteran associated with the 3rd Assault Brigade ‘Azov’ (possibly as head of the brigade’s artillery and small arms workshop) though he is seen here wearing a black GUR patch, shared a video firing what appears to be a Dutch C7NLD.
Іван Савельєв firing a C7NLD in Jan. 2025 (via social media)
We’ve previously seen large number of Dutch Diemaco (now Colt Canada) C7s in use in Ukraine. The First Dutch C7s appeared in the summer of 2022, and many continue to appear in use with various Ukrainian units. It’s estimated that the Netherlands sent as many as 10,000 C7-pattern rifles to Ukraine, making it one of the most common AR15/M16-pattern rifles in theatre. Until now, however, the most recent, upgraded version of the Netherlands’ C7s, the C7NLD, had not been seen in Ukraine.
The C7NLD upgrade began to be rolled out in 2010. It included a new CAA stock, ambidextrous controls, Colt Canada’s Integrated Upper Receiver, a free-floating barrel, and a RIS rail forend with a polymer extension and a grip pod foregrip. The rifles were also issued with Lancer L5AWM polymer magazines.
Since the first sighting in January, a further sighting of a C7NLD came in mid-March, in a photo of kit and equipment shared by personnel believed to be with the 14th Regiment of Unmanned Systems Forces. The C7NLD can be seen top right with a visible Dutch Army rack QR code on the magazine well. The rifle appears to have a Lancer magazine, an Aimpoint CompM4 optic and its fitted with a MagPul CRT stock, which is also used by the Dutch.
Kit layout photo from 14th Regiment of Unmanned Systems Forces personnel (via social media)
On 7 April, a social media post from the 1st Assault Battalion, 3rd Assault Brigade, included a combatant armed with a C7NLD in a group photo, the rest of the personnel appear to have CZ Bren 2s and a UAR-15 pattern rifle. A day later another individual from the 3rd Assault Brigade appeared in a short video while holding a C7NLD.
Members of 1st Assault Battalion, 3rd Assault Brigade, included a combatant armed with a C7NLD (via social media)
On 22 April, a photograph shared by a Ukrainian serviceman, possibly another member of the 3rd Assault Brigade, featured a C7NLD equipped with a magnified optic and a thermal clip on, which appears to be a Leonardo DRS FWS-I.
Recently, on 10 May, Mad Bears Group, of the 225th Assault Regiment, who are likely part of the Pentagon Drone Battalion, shared a post on telegram announcing a recruitment drive. The photo features four members of the unit all equipped with C7NLDs. It is unclear when or where this photo was taken. It is possible they may have been taken during training in the Netherlands. Again all of the rifles have the Dutch Army’s rack QR codes on the magazine wells and all are equipped with the Aimpoint CompM4s.
Members of the 225th Assault Regiment with C7NLDs (via social media)
A number of photographs of Ukrainian personnel training in the Netherlands have emerged with a number of social media posts showing individuals training with C7NLDs. These date from between April and September 2024.
On 18 May, the Mad Bears Group shared a second photograph featuring C7NLDs, the photo was seemingly taken at a range in Ukraine, supporting the likelihood of the previous photo also being taken in Ukraine.
While C7NLDs continue to be rarely seen in Ukraine it appears that sufficient quantity of the rifles have arrived for them to be issued operationally. It’s fairly uncommon for service rifles that are still in use to be transferred to Ukraine so it’s intriguing to see the C7NLDs, which have apparently been transferred in their issue configuration with Aimpoint optics. So far the majority of the available imagery suggests that at least a portion of the rifles transferred by the Dutch are now part of the 3rd Assault Brigade’s inventory.
Update – 5/6/25:
In a 2024 United Nations Register of Conventional Arms report the Netherlands confirmed the transfer of 450 C7NLD rifles to Ukraine. Along with an additional 345 HK416s.
Additionally, another of the rifles appeared in a photograph shared by a member of the 1st Separate Assault Regiment (Da Vinci Wolves).
Update – 25/06/25:
A combatant from the 3rd Airborne Assault Battalion of the 82nd Separate Airborne Assault Brigade was photographed during an awards parade with a C7NLD. The photo was shared by the brigade on the 25 June.
In a video from the same ceremony it’s clear that there are two combatants with C7NLDs.
Update – 23/7/25:
Two combatants are pictured with C7NLDs in a 22nd July post by the 82nd Air Assault Brigade. (H/t – Mathias).
Update – 5/10/25:
A Ukrainian Staff Sergeant shared a photo of a field stripped C7NLD, the condition of the rifle appears to be excellent. The rifle has a Magpul CTR stock in FDE rather than the FAB Defense stock seen on other C7NLDs, while this may have been added in-country, both are in Dutch service. This is the second CTR-stocked C7NLD I’ve seen in country.
Thank you to WarIllustrated and Dikobraz for their help tracking down some of the imagery for this article/video. Thank you also to Jeff2146for help with imagery and sharing the UNRCA report.Militaryland.net was invaluable for tracing and checking some unit affiliations.
Support Us: If you enjoyed this video and article please consider supporting our work here. We have some great perks available for Patreon Supporters – including early access to custom stickers and early access to videos! Thank you for your support!
At the end of April, Ukraine announced the setting up of a marketplace for military technology and equipment. Unsurprisingly the new initiative has quickly garnered comparisons with commercial sites like Amazon and eBay.
The new site, Brave1 Market, seems to be an innovative idea which incorporates a number of interesting dynamics and features that the defence industry hasn’t really seen before. This includes a points system for verified destruction of enemy equipment – these points can then be spent in the marketplace. The idea of online marketplaces is already well established and highly popular in Ukraine with popular Ukrainian online marketplaces include Prom.ua, Rozetka.com.ua, and OLX.ua and of course the ubiquitous Chinese sites such as AliExpress.com
The new marketplace was set up by Brave1 which is an organisation set up by the Ukrainian government to bring together innovative companies with ideas and developments that can be used by Ukraine’s armed forces. They coordinate between various individuals, companies and state entities to get new equipment to the Ukrainian military. The Brave1 Market is their latest initiative.
Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, said “Brave1 Market will become the Amazon for the military — giving units the ability to buy exactly what they need, right when they need it. This will solve the problem of spreading effective innovations faster.” The aim of the site being to get the latest useful kit to units which have a proven track record of being effective and also fostering new capabilities for units.
Much has been made of the site’s ‘gamification of war’, essentially making military operations a competition and this is most evident from the large bar chart on the site’s front page which prominently shows the approximate number of points various drone-operating units have accrued. The chart shows the 10 top performing drone units over the previous month, the 414th Unmanned Strike Aviation Brigade, also known as Magyar’s Birds is well ahead.
The game-like points system is known as ‘Battle Points’ which are accrued when visual evidence of the destruction of Russian troops and equipment is shared through the Ukrainian military’s Delta is a situational awareness and battlefield management system. The points system is dynamic meaning points for various systems can be increase or decreased depending on operational goals but the basic values break down as:
6 points for eliminating an enemy soldier
20 points for damaging a tank or AFV
40 points for destroying a tank or AFV
Up to 50 points for eliminating a mobile rocket system, depending on its caliber
An example of the value of the points was shared by the Ukrainian government: Magyar’s Birds has amassed over 16,000 points as of April, this is said to be enough for approximately 500 FPV drones, 500 drones equipped for night operations, 100 heavy lift drones, and 40 reconnaissance UAVs.
The Brave1 Market currently features over 1,000 products across a number of primary categories including: aerial drones, ground drones, electronic warfare systems like jammers, components and accessories and software. Unsurprisingly there is both a public catalogue and a ‘closed catalogue’ for equipment which is deemed sensitive and requires users to log in via the Delta system.
In the future Brave1 aims to introduce additional features to the market place that will allow units to browse and submit direct requests to manufacturers aiming to speed up the procurement processes. Additionally, the platform will also serve as a verified fundraising tool enabling individuals to support units.
Support Us: If you enjoyed this video and article please consider supporting our work here. We have some great perks available for Patreon Supporters – including early access to custom stickers and early access to videos! Thank you for your support!
The Armourers Bench 