Tag: Kraken Regiment

HK MP7s in Ukraine

We’ve seen a number of submachine guns appear in Ukraine over the last 3 years, MP5s, B&T APC-9s, Ukraine’s own Fort 320 and classics like the Carl Gustaf M/45 but one of the rarer to appear is Heckler & Koch’s MP7. Sightings of these began in early 2025. In this article/video we’ll survey some of the sightings, examine how the guns have been set up and I’ll share some opinions and insights shared by Ukrainian soldiers who have experience with the MP7.

If you’re unfamiliar with the HK MP7, its a personal defence weapon chambered in the proprietary 4.6x30mm round. It uses a gas-operated, short stroke piston action and weighs around 1.8kg (4lbs) unloaded and without accessories. It was introduced in the early 2000s and is in use with a number of militaries and law enforcement agencies around the world. It is typically used as a PDW for personnel who don’t need a full-size rifle, for close quarter tasks by special forces and as a concealable carbine for personal protection details.

The earliest photograph of an MP7 I have come across dates to February 2025 when a member of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (the GUR/HUR)’s Kraken Regiment posted an image of a black MP7A2 with an Aimpoint Micro T-1 red dot and a Finnish Ase Utra S Series SL4i SMG-MP7 suppressor. Colleagues at StreakingDelilah report that the individual noted that Kraken had received a small number of the weapons (between 5-7) and that they were brought out for some training sessions but have not yet seen action “in the field”.

The next sighting came in August 2025, when a member of the HUR Tymur Special Unit shared a photo posing with an MP7A2 in HK’s favoured RAL 8000 colour. It appears to have been fitted with an Aimpoint Acro red dot on an Eratac mount and an Ase Utra S Series SL4i SMG-MP7 suppressor.

At the beginning of Septmber a member of the Special Operations Center “South” (formerly the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center) posted a short clip showing an operator equipped with what appears to be an MP7 but is in fact a licensed airsoft copy from Umarex. We can identify this from the white license markings on the right side of the receiver. It’s complete with an Umarex H&K QD Suppressor  and a PEQ-15. Its unclear if an airsoft clone is being use for training because the actual weapons are in the SSO’s inventory.

Potential Airsoft – On 11 September 2025 an Instagram account affiliated with the Ukrainian Army’s Air Assault forces shared a photo of an individual posing with a black MP7A2, The MP7 has a 30 round magazine, an Ase Utra suppressor and an Aimpoint Micro T-2 red dot optic. It’s unclear if elements of Ukraine’s Air Assault forces have also received MP7, this is the only photograph of a combatant from that formation holding one of the weapons I’ve come across so far.

In November and December two additional images of black MP7A2s were shared by combatants with HUR units. The gun is seen with an Ase Utra suppressor and an Aimpoint Micro T-2 red dot optic.

The first sighting of the MP7s in 2026 came in February, with several posts about the weapons on Telegram. On 6 February, a telegram channel affiliated from individuals from Ukraine SOF community posted a series of photographs of a brand new RAL 8000 MP7A2, with Ase Utra suppressor and Acro red dot on an Eratac USL mount. The caption praised the weapons “compactness, low weight, and practically no recoil” but noted that it has a short effective range, unique ergonomics and uncommon ammunition. The post went on to suggest that its best use would be as a PDW for snipers.

Another Telegram post, on 9 February, by Про Зброю, which has been described as a shooting instructor serving in the Ukrainian Army, described the MP7 as “extremely convenient, very compact and lightweight, a highly maneuverable weapon that allows for surprisingly controlled automatic fire against a “silhouette” target at distances of up to 100 meters and beyond. There’s practically no recoil or barrel flip when firing. A long burst can be completely placed in the target! The accuracy, thanks to the collimator sight, is excellent! And the sound of the shot is well muffled by the compact sound moderator.” The author’s primary complaint, however, was that 4.6x30mm ammunition is exotic and rarely available in Ukraine. It’s unclear how much ammunition has been supplied for the weapons. The earlier post included a photo of Fiocchi 4.6mm copper plated steel black tip ammunition.

At the beginning of April a combatant with an HUR team shared a photo posing with an MP7A2 during a range trip. The individual shared some thoughts on the MP7 with me, he noted that it’s a “weapon more for bodyguards” and that while “the weapon is very cool” its best suited to specific roles. He noted that .300BLK is preferred for operational roles that require a quiet weapon. He also noted that the accuracy of the MP7 wasn’t as good as he’d expected. It’s unknown what sort of ammunition he used while testing the MP7. Again the weapon has the standard Ase Utra suppressor and an Aimpoint Acro red dot sight on an Eratac USL mount.

Most recently on 24 April 2026, ‘Explosive Department’ an instagram account affiliated with an element of the HUR’s Kraken Regiment shared a photograph of a RAL 8000 MP7A2 with an FDE Aimpoint Acro and an Ase Utra S Series suppressor.

From discussions with sources its possible to confirm that these weapons, along with HK416A8s and MG4 and MG5s, have been provided to Ukraine by Heckler & Koch as part of German aid to Ukraine. They appear to have common accessory configurations including Ase Utra S Series suppressors and Acros on Eratac USL mounts. Imagery shows a mixture of 20- and 30- round magazines.

Thank you to colleagues at StreakingDelilah, MilitaryLand and to Mathias for their help with various elements of this article/video.

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LMT Standalone M203s In Ukraine

In this series looking at weapons used in Ukraine we’ve looked at a number of different grenade launchers including GP-25s adapted for standalone use, FN FN40GLs, discharger cups for hand grenades and perhaps the rarest grenade launcher seen in Ukraine so far; the standalone Colt M203. Another interesting and fairly rarely seen grenade launcher that began to appear in Ukraine last winter is LMT’s standalone 40mm M203.

LMT offers a series of M203-derived launchers and two standalone stock attachment methods. The Iowa-based company introduced its 40mm grenade launchers in 2003. The launchers seen in Ukraine appear to be the rail mounted version with a 9 inch long barrel.

An LMT M203 in the field (via Rogue Team)

The first sighting of an LMT M203 in Ukraine came in November 2023, when Georgian volunteer O.d.i.n.s.o.n., part of the GUR/HUR (Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence)’s Omega Team, posted a photo of one side by side with a standalone GP25. The launchers likely arrived in country a little earlier, speaking to TAB at the time he noted that “the aiming module is a little weird. It has like an M4 forward sight and GL [grenade launcher] distance adjustable rear sight but it’s on top of the weapon. So it doesn’t force you to arc the barrel Like a GP25 does.”

The next appearance of one of the launchers came in late February 2024, when Scorpion Protection Group, another SOF group, shared a photo of a combatant training with one. A third GUR unit, Rogue Team, have also posted images featuring an LMT M203. The first image was shared by a team member on 17 March. This was followed by an image shared on the team’s Instagram page on the 5 April.

LMT M203 rail mounted version with 9in barrel – right side (LMT)

On the 14 April, a photo posted by one of the Kraken Regiment’s (also under the GUR) teams also appears to include a standalone LMT M203. Most recently on 16 April, a Spanish member of Omega Team, shared a photo of an LMT M203 with its action open with a round ready to load. On the same day TAB spoke again to Omega Team member O.d.d.i.n.s.o.n. at length about the launchers.

O.d.i.n.s.o.n. explained that the unit switched from rotary 40mm grenade launchers to standalone GP25s and LMT M203 as they are lighter and less bulky than the rotary launchers. He reiterated the difference in the LMT sight from quadrant sights found on other launchers and noted that “instead of a switch or a selector it has a little hook that you pull back and it prevents your finger from going on the trigger.” This is a carry over from the original M203 on which LMT’s launcher is based.

When comparing the GP25 and M203 O.d.i.n.s.o.n. noted that the M203 is light, effective and has a ‘really nice stock’ but he dislikes that the M203’s action has to be opened to reload, unlike the GP25 which when fired “leaves nothing inside the tube and is faster on the reload.” When asked if he’d seen many other units using LMT launchers he explained that “most [International Legion] Special Task Units [affiliated with the GUR] have a couple.”

An LMT M203 with its action open (Courtesy of Delta Knights)

We also spoke with Delta Knights, another GUR Specal Task Unit made up of international volunteers, who confirmed they also use LMT M203s and said that they ‘really love it’ but one thing they do wish they had more of is 40mm smoke grenades, adding that the launcher is most often employed with High Explosive (HE) grenades. Delta Knights were kind enough to provide some photos and videos of the M203 in operation at the range.

While the imagery and information available confirms combat use of the LMT M203s in Ukraine it doesn’t give us a solid picture of just how many are in-theatre and other units who may be using them. As always the imagery shared online represents a fraction of what is going on and can only be considered a limited sample. In terms of the origins of the launchers one potential source for the LMT M203s is Estonia which adopted the LMT MARS-L as the R-20 in 2020. Some of the Estonian R-20s have been seen with LMT M203s and given Estonia’s considerable past support for Ukraine it is possible that they may have provided a number of the launchers.

Special thanks to O.D.I.N.S.O.N and Delta Knights for their time and insights and to the guys at Cloooud for additional assistance.

Update – 1/5/24: A recently shared International Legion recruitment social media post included an LMT M203.

Update – 25/7/24:

https://twitter.com/historicfirearm/status/1816564781995712964?t=pTJX3W7_WVFylnBym1-zyQ&s=19

Update – 10/9/24: The ‘Expeditionaries’ Instagram page, seemingly affiliated with an international volunteer team shared a photo of an LMT M203 being jokingly loaded with a deodorant roll-on rather than a 40mm grenade.

Update – 10/01/25: Two additional archival sightings of LMT M203s. The first on the left dates from September 2024. The second, from DC Tactical was shared on 29 October 2024.

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Bibliography:

9″ Standalone Rail Mounted M203, LMT, (source)

The LMT M203-2003 Grenade Launcher, Small Arms Defense Journal, (source)

Lmt M203 Grenade Launcher Stand Alone Frame, LMT, (source)