Tag: Ukraine War

Ukraine’s FORT 230 Submachine Gun

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.

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! You can also find us on the History of Weapons & War app. Thank you for your support!

UK Using Galil Ace Rifles to Train Ukrainians

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.

For more on Op Interflex and the rifles used to train Ukrainians in the UK, check out our earlier articles/videos: UK Purchases AKs To Train Ukrainian Troops, UK Has Procured Chinese AKs to Train Ukrainian Troops & Ukrainians Training with Bulgarian Arsenal AKs.

Update -14/6/25:

Update – 15/7/25: Ukraine’s General Staff shared photos from Ukrainian personnel training with Galil ACE rifle in the UK.

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! You can also find us on the History of Weapons & War app. Thank you for your support!

Netherlands Sends New C7NLDs In Ukraine

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 Jeff2146 for 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!

Brave1 Market – Ukraine’s New Online Marketplace for Drones, Kit & Equipment

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!

Raven: Ukraine’s ASRAAM-Launching Air Defence System

Way back in February 2024, I published an article/video discussing sightings of one of the so-called Franken-SAM systems provided to Ukraine by Western allies. The ASRAAM-armed system was developed and provided by the UK but until this year little information about it had been confirmed. On 10 May the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that they system is called ‘Raven’ and a total of 13 of the systems have been pledged.

Five Raven Air Defence Systems due to be dispatched to Ukraine (UK MoD/Crown Copyright)

The previously available imagery showed that the system comprised two AIM-132 Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM) mounted on a Supacat HMT 600 (6×6) vehicle. The vehicles are believed to be former Soothsayer ECM carriers brought out of storage. Also visible is what appears to be a mast-mounted sensor unit positioned behind the cab, on the vehicle’s flatbed. This appears to be a Chess Dynamics Hawkeye which likely includes electro-optical and infrared sensors used for targeting.

Gravehawk – UK-developed containerised air defence system (UK MoD/Crown Copyright)

The UK-developed Raven is one of several ad hoc short-range air defense systems developed by the UK for Ukraine, the other being Gravehawk, a containerised system which utilises R-73 air-to-air missiles, which was unveiled in February 2025. Both systems are part of an effort to affordably and quickly bolster Ukraine’s air defences. In October 2023 a pair of videos shared by the Ukrainian air force gave a glimpse of the system in action. The both filmed at night shows a launch but the vehicle is not visible. The second, shared on 12 October, by Ukraine’s Air Command – South shows the successful engagement of a Russian long range loitering munition. As the darkness is lit up by the missile launch, the Supacat 6×6 High Mobility Transporter is briefly visible.

Raven seen in Ukraine, Feb. 2024 (via Social Media)

ASRAAM uses infrared homing and can lock onto its target after launch. It has an air-launched range of more than 25km but this is likely shorter when used in a ground launched role. The system may be used in conjunction with radar systems which feeds target data to the missile. A key feature of the ASRAAM is its ability to lock-on after launch, theoretically allowing it to be vectored onto a target in the air before it begins IR homing.

The system, however, isn’t ideal with limited ready-to-fire capacity on the launcher ramp, with just two rails, and no protection for the missiles themselves, from either the elements or from potential fragmentation or impact damage if attacked. The ad-hoc air defence system first saw action in Ukraine in August 2023, and represents an ingenious improvisation utilising a highly capable missile in an air defence role it was never envisaged in. In December 2023 UK Ministry of Defence summarised their development:

“In summer 2022, a joint MoD-MBDA team developed air defence systems to fire ASRAAM from the ground for the first time. Within four months of initiating the surface launched ASRAAM project, these air defence systems were developed, manufactured, trialled and Ukrainian crews trained on their usage, on UK soil, before being transferred into Ukrainian hands.”

In late 2023, it was reported that the UK had supplied “a handful” of the missile-equipped Supacat trucks. They were believed to be in use in near the front and in the Kyiv region, defending key infrastructure, against Shahed-136/Geran-2 long-range loitering munition attacks. In December 2023, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that a further 200 ASRAAMs would be provided to Ukraine and that the systems in-country had achieved a “successful hit rate reported as high as 90% against some Russian air targets.” ASRAAM’s payload, a 10kg blast-fragmentation warhead, is designed to destroy aerial targets with minimal collateral damage. 

Raven Air Defence System, based on the HMT 600 Supacat vehicle and the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (UK MoD/Crown Copyright)

A number of videos showing glimpses of the system itself or the system in action were shared throughout late 2023 and 2024. On 12 October 2023, footage of a night launch against a Shahed one-way munition was shared including thermal footage from the systems sensors. In late February 2024, footage, again from the Raven’s sensors, showed the successful engagement of a Russian ZALA reconnaissance drone.

A month later on 20 March, both external and system footage of a daytime engagement of a Russian Supercam S350 reconnaissance UAV was shared. Later in March additional footage of what was also claimed to be a Supercam was also shared.

Raven Air Defence System, based on the HMT 600 Supacat vehicle and the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (UK MoD/Crown Copyright)

On 3 April, thermal camera footage of another UAV interception was posted on Ukrainian social media. The speed and vector of the missile suggests it was a Raven-launched ASRAAM. On 14 April 2024, a short clip showing an ASRAAM missile with a message written on it ‘Rowdy Company’, followed by footage of a night-time launch was shared.

In early May 2024, Russian Telegram channels shared drone footage of what they claimed as the destruction of one of the systems by a Lancet loitering munition. While footage of the systems in action is few and far between another daytime video of the system in action was shared in mid-September 2024, having been posted to TikTok.

Most recently, in late November 2024, a video containing footage from a number of Ukrainian anti-aircraft units showed several interceptions of Russian drones and a launch from what appear to be Raven system.

In March 2025, a couple of photos were shared by the UK Ministry of Defence showing Rachel Reeves, the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer being briefed on Raven during a visit to RAF Northolt, though the name of the system was not disclosed at the time they gave the best side-on look at the system to-date.

UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer being briefed on Raven during a visit to RAF Northolt, March 2025 (UK MoD/Crown Copyright)

The UK Ministry of Defence unveiled the Raven officially on 10 May 2025. In a video posted to the UK MoD YouTube channel the system was shown in detail and some interesting stats were shared. Colonel Olly Todd, Military Assistant Head of Taskforce Kindred [Taskforce Kindred refers to the MoD’s effort to provide equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), from UK stockpiles and rapid procurement.] noted that the UK has provided approximately 400 ASRAAM (which were near the end of their service life) to Ukraine and from 400 launches the systems’ engagement success rate stands at around 70%. The video also confirms that eight Raven systems were deployed to Ukraine in 2022 and a further five are set to be provided in 2025.

Raven was developed in just three months with experts from MBDA, Supacat at the RAF’s Air & Space Warfare Centre involved in the process. It combines a Supacat HMT-600 vehicle with the MBDA-manufactured ASRAAM using a bespoke launch assembly which integrates launch pylons taken from legacy UK aircraft including Hawk, Jaguar and Tornadoes. Unsurprisingly Raven and Gravehawk use the same control system and likely share the same system-integrated sensor units for tracking and identifying targets before locking on with the missiles’ seekers before launch.

ASRAAM mounted on a Raven air defence system (UK MoD/Crown Copyright)

While ASRAAM is still in production it is worth noting that other than the UK, the only other current user is India – though several Middle Eastern nations have reportedly adopted it, this means the stock of older missiles ready for disposal will be somewhat limited. It is so far unclear if the Raven systems could also be adapted to launch other missiles such as the R-73 used by the Gravehawk.

Photo of the Raven Air Defence System’s Fire and Control Unit (UK MoD/Crown Copyright)

Despite the potential limited availability of the missiles the relatively cost-effective price-tag of an ASRAAM, reported to be around £200,000 (or $260,000), makes the Raven a useful system for not only protecting key Ukrainian infrastructure but also, as has been seen in some of the footage available, engaging Russian reconnaissance drones which feed important information back to Russia’s command and control apparatus.

Updates – 25/07/25:

Update – 2/7/25:

The Ukrainian Air Force shared a video featuring the Raven giving an extensive look at it on operations in Ukraine.

The crew have painted up one side of the cab with a kill tally with the silhouette of various different drones. The visible tally includes:

– 17 Shaheds
– 1 Cruise Missile
– 17 Orlan 10 UAV
– 13 Supercam UAV
– 25 Zala UAV

Update – 27/10/25:

On 24 October, the Ukrainian Air Forces’ Air Command “West” social media shared a photo of a Raven system, noting that it had destroyed 24 Shaheds and several cruise missiles.

A video was also shared showing the successful engagement of Russian Kh-59 and Kh-101 cruise missiles.

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!

Has Italy Sent Beretta AR70/90s To Ukraine?

From imagery shared by Ukrainian armed forces personnel over recent months it appears that Italy has provided an unconfirmed number of Beretta SC70/90 5.56x45mm rifles.

The SC70/90 is part of the AR70/90 family of rifles; the SC model is distinct for its side-folding stock. The weapons are gas-operated and use a rotating bolt and a long-stroke gas piston system. They are select-fire and capable of semi-automatic, burst and fully-automatic fire. They are typically equipped with a bipod and carry handle and weigh in at 4.05kg or 8.9lbs.

The AR70 entered service in the early 1970s. The AR70/90 series improved on the AR70 and has been in service with the Italian armed forces since the 1990s, it is currently being replaced by the Beretta ARX-160. We’ve already seen evidence of the presence of other European rifles of a similar vintage such as the Spanish CETME-L, check out our video/article on those here.

The first sighting of an SC70/90 came on 10 January, when Іван Савельєв, a veteran associated with several units including the 3rd Assault Brigade ‘Azov’, possibly as head of the brigade’s small arms workshop, shared a video of himself firing the rifle in bursts from prone with its bipod deployed.

On 13 January, Савельєв, a fabricator, mechanic and gunsmith who founded R&D company Armorum Solutions, shared several videos of himself firing an SC70/90 at the range. In the first, he has a bayonet fixed and the bipod still mounted but the carrying handle has been removed from the top of the receiver.

A member of the 3rd Assault Brigade shared a short video, via Instagram stories, on 24 January 2025, firing a Beretta SC70/90 from the hip. When asked what he thought of it, he described it as an ‘old unit’. There is no evidence he has used the weapon on operations, and it may have been brought out to the range as a curiosity.

On 16 February, Савельєв shared another video of himself firing the rifle, this time the carry handle has been removed and an ELCAN Spectre, likely supplied by the Netherlands, has been mounted on the SC70/90’s upper receiver.

Speaking to an international volunteer with one of Ukraine’s brigades who has recently been issued an SC70/90 for training, he noted: “It has too much parts. You cannot strip it without pliers or a bullet. Aiming is also way harder than with an AK. It’s also heavier than an AK… Overall, its not a bad gun, I just don’t like it. The sights are not good, not easy to read like an AK. The foldable buttstock is a big plus.” He explained that he decided to remove the bipod and carry handle saying the bipod is ‘useless’ and the carry handle obscures the sight. He also added that while his unit has been issued them during current training some soldiers do use them on operations. On 19 March he shared a video of how to field strip the SC70/90 on his YouTube channel.

Most recently, on 8 April, a member of the 3rd Assault Brigade shared a photograph of himself posing with a SC70/90 complete with carry handle and bipod.

While the number of sightings of SC70/90s in Ukraine has so far been small, they are undoubtedly in country and in use. There haven’t yet been any sightings of fixed stock AR70/90s. From a survey of the limited imagery available, it appears that they are in service with the 3rd Assault Brigade and possibly other units. It seems that while they’re in inventory with Ukrainian units they may be most regularly issued to personnel during training, this is unsurprising, as the supply spare parts available for the rifles may be limited and there are other better-suited rifles available for operations. The SC70/90s presence in Ukraine serves to illustrate once again just how many different small arms are now in Ukrainian service.

Thanks to Recon UAV and Weapons_Illustrated for help sourcing imagery for this video.

Update – 1/5/25:

Update – 14/7/25:

Members of the 33rd Separate Assault Regiment’s ATGM company were photographed during training. One combatant was photographed holding a Beretta SC70/90.

Update – 30/7/25:

Personnel from the 2nd Artillery Battalion of the 3rd Assault Brigade were seen armed with SC70/90s during a social media video. (H/T Jeff).

Update – 4/8/25:

A group photo of the 3AB gunners seen in the earlier video. All four combatants have SC70/90s.

Update – 20/10/25:

The 3rd Army Corps posted a series of photos of troops with AR70/90s on 12 October. The troops appear to be gunners opperating one of the 3rd Assault Brigade’s self-propelled howitzers.

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!

KMG556 – Turkish Minimis in Ukraine

In 2021, Turkish small arms manufacturer Kale Kalıp introduced an FN Minimi clone, the KMG556. The belt-fed 5.56x45mm light machine gun entered production in summer 2023 and in the middle of 2024 the weapons began to appear in Ukraine. Intriguingly, Kale Kalip only announced the delivery of the first batch of serial production guns in late October 2024.

So far the most prevalent Ukrainian use of the KMG556 has been seen with the Lyut Brigade, [United Assault Brigade of the National Police of Ukraine “Lyut” of the Special Purpose Police Department] which formed in January 2023. The light machine guns began appearing in imagery of Lyut Brigade personnel in June 2024. The brigade as a whole appears to use a variety of Turkish-manufactured small arms ranging from Repkon grenade launchers to Canik M2 heavy machine guns.

The KMG556 weighs in at 7.8kg (17.2lbs), has a 16in (406mm) long barrel and has newly designed polymer furniture including a new adjustable butt stock and forend. The KMG556 dispenses with the Minimi’s ability to dual feed using STANAG magazines and feeds only from a standard disintegrating metallic belt.

The first appearance of a KMG556 with Ukrainian troops came in late June 2024 when a video of members of Lyut was shared showing a clearing operation, said to be in Vovchansk. In the video, a machine gunner armed with a KMG556 is seen suppressing suspected Russian positions.

In early July, a promotional video posted on the Brigade’s TikTok featured a squad from the “Tsunami” Assault Regiment with a variety of weapons including M4 carbines, AK-74s and a KMG556, with its markings clearly visible.

In early August, the Brigade’s social media shared a video featuring a patrol from the Enei Battalion clearing a small village near Toretsk. In the video helmet cam footage shows a patrol member firing what appears to be a KMG556. Another post on 4 August, featured a female member of the “Tsunami” Assault Regiment holding a KMG556. On the 24 August, Lyut Brigade shared a video celebrating Ukraine’s independence day. It featured a large number of personnel including an individual armed with what is clearly a KMG556 which has been painted. The video also features a Turkish BMC Kirpi MRAP.

At the beginning of September, a member of the Lyut Brigade’s Safari Assault Regiment shared a montage video on TikTok showing fighting in and around Toretsk. It features several short clips of a KMG556 in action.

On the 10 September, a photograph of personnel from the Brigade’s Luhansk Assault Regiment was shared with a Ukrainian serviceman standing front and centre equipped with a KMG556. The KMG556 was seen again in a short promotional video on one of the Brigade’s associated TikTok accounts.

The following month the Brigade’s social media posted a photograph of a squad of Ukrainian personnel stood in front of a BMC Kirpi, with one of the men equipped with a KMG556. It appears the photograph was taken earlier when the Independence Day video was filmed. On the 7 October, the Brigade’s Tiktok account shared a video showing helmet camera footage from a machine gunner with the Enei Battalion using a KMG556 during fighting in Toretsk.

On 7 November, a video showing more street fighting in Toretsk was posted on Tiktok showing a KMG556 in action, it appears to be mounted with an EOTech HWS 500 series sight. The National Police of Ukraine shared several photographs of Lyut Brigade personnel several days later, on 9 November, including a pair of portraits of brigade members equipped with KMG556s mounted with what appear to be Aimpoint Comp C3 red dot sights. Several days later, on 12 November, the Enei Battalion shared a short video on their TikTok account showcasing a fireteam and their weapons, including: a UAR-10, Repkon RDS-40 and a KMG556. A day later, a video showing a machine gunner from the Safari Regiment at work during fighting in Toretsk featured a KMG556 during an ambush. His KMG556 is mounted with an EOTech 512 or 552 holographic weapon sight. A short clip from this video was previously seen in a video posted on TikTok on 7 November.

A video commemorating 1,000 days since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, posted on 19 November, also featured a KMG556. It appears to be the same fire team seen in the earlier video. On 16 December, a series of portraits of brigade members were shared, including one of a machine gunner armed with a KMG556 mounted with an EOTech HWS 512 or 552, a suppressor and loaded with a belt of M855. The same machine gunner was seen again in a festive photo posted on 31 December. In the same post another KMG556, with what appears to be a magnified optic, was seen, mounted on a MISTA Oncilla armoured car.

On 7 January 2025, a video showing fighting in Toretsk with members of Safari battalion clearing buildings also features a KMG556, with a Holosun 510 red dot optic, being fired from a upper storey window. The date the footage was filmed is unclear but it appears likely it was filmed earlier in 2024. A KMG556 has also been seen in a group photo of members of Lyut Brigade, alongside another Turkish weapon – a Repkon RDS-40 rotary grenade launcher.

At the end of January, a video of a night-time clearing operation, likely in Toretsk, was shared on the Lyut Brigade TikTok page, showing what is likely a KMG556 being used to lay down suppressive fire.

In March the KMG556 was seen a number of times, first in a Lyut Brigade facebook post on the 6 March, which featured a photograph of as KMG556 equipped with a suppressor. The manufacturer’s markings are clearly visible on the side of the receiver. Finally, the KMG556 was most recently seen on 14 March, in a squad photo posted by the Lyut Brigade to celebrate Ukraine’s Volunteers Day.

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! You can also find us on the History of Weapons & War app. Thank you for your support!

Ukraine War: Both Sides Continue Development of Gun Drones

Since our last article/video on gun-armed drones in September 2024, both sides have continued to develop the technology. Numerous Ukrainian teams have developed recoilless ‘shotgun’ drones designed to hunt other drones as well as developing and fielding an AK-armed FPV. The Russians too have returned to the concept in recent months showcasing a number of gun-armed drone systems.

In December the first footage of a Ukrainian gun drone appeared, it utilised the recoilless gun concept. Several videos were shared of an FPV drone equipped with a pair of barrels which are likely electrically initiated and have counter-weight charges as the earlier Russian drone did. The videos showed a series of successful drone vs drone engagements.

On 7 February, Russian Telegram channel, FPV Covenant, shared footage of a gun-drone being tested, with the caption “Testing a shooting drone. The bird has two cameras, a night camera and a thermal imager.” The drone appears to have a single barrel and on firing is jarred considerably by recoil, this indicates the lack of a recoilless, recoil mitigation system.

In the first indication of Russian state efforts to develop a gun-armed drone the Осоед-Д , developed by the Novgorod scientific and production center “Ushkuynik”, was unveiled to Russian media on 20 February. The Осоед-Д has four barrels and appears to incorporate a recoilless counterweight system. Very little imagery of the system is available but it’s developers claim it has a degree of autonomy and can find and attack targets within an area once ground detectors locate a target. One article states that the drone “has already been put into operation”.

On 6 March a Russian Telegram channel, affiliated with the engineers of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, shared test footage and photographs of a new gun system which can be mounted on small drones. The Telegram post highlights that the system uses the recoilless principle to mitigate recoil and it reportedly utilises standard 12 and 16 gauge shotgun cartridges. It is claimed that it has an effective engagement out to 20 metres and that the aiming of the gun is done through the standard drone camera. The post also claims that operators can “you can hang from 2 to 4 barrels on the drone.” The size and power of the drone would likely have to be greater than a standard Mavic or Russian FPV to mount more than one or two barrels and greater payload reduces range. The post includes a photograph of the barrel assembly on a scale reading 700.9g. (1.5lbs) but a video caption notes when loaded the weight is closer to 780g.

The telegram post includes a pair of videos showing the gun system being tested at a range. The first video shows a 10in quadcopter drone equipped with a 16 gauge gun system. The drone takes off and fires down range, while the recoil is noticeable the drone continues to hover.

In the second longer video the drone appears to struggle to initially maintain a stable altitude/hover but this may be an operator error. The drone travels downrange and fires on a target from a distance of 3.5 metres. The video cuts to show the effect on target with several dozen shot holes. Incidentally, the box is for AI-Thinker RA-08 transceiver modules made in China.

Meanwhile on 7 March, a drone unit with Ukraine’s Separate Presidential Brigade shared the best look at a Ukrainian gun-armed drone we’ve seen so far. We’ve previously seen the Bulava drone team, which part of the 3rd battalion of the Separate Presidential Brigade, deploying drones equipped with rifles and RPGs. These drones were developed with the help of Wild Hornets (a Ukrainian drone manufacturing organisation).

The gun-armed drone seen in the video is operated by the 4th Mechanized Battalion and is based on a Lucky Strike-manufactured quadcopter drone. It’s unclear if Lucky Strike has assisted in the development of the gun system.

In the video we see the drone operators drop in a 12 gauge cartridge into a barrel, notably the cartridge’s primer has been removed probably to enable electrical ignition. The video does not show the counter-weight system likely to avoid breaches of operational security on how the system works. The drone can be seen mounted with a pair of barrels and when firing is demonstrated its clear that the larger drone is able to compensate for any remaining recoil the counterweight system can’t mitigate. Its also possible that the Ukrainian counterweight charge has been more finely tuned to the charge of the firing barrel. The operator explains that even a small number of hits from relatively small shot can be effective on target and that one of their primary targets are DJI Mavics which the Russians use for  Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). In terms of doctrine the video explains that they try and engage with one barrel but if they want to be sure of hitting a target they can fire a salvo of both at the same time to increase hit probability.

On 10 March, A small Russian Telegram channel, Bright Head, shared a short video of a small quadcopter drone armed with a pair of barrels. The video is simply titled ‘Drone killer “GORYNYCH (ГОРЫНЫЧ)’. It approaches a cardboard target and fires twice. Intriguingly, the Gorynych has an ingenious recoil-mitigation system with the barrels being ejected from the drone on firing, this reduces the recoil significantly with the first shot only briefly dipping the drone.

On 15 March, Ukrainian drone developers Sky Defenders shared video of their fixed wing UAV equipped with four forward-firing gun barrels. Check out our earlier article/video examining the Sky Defenders ZigZag.

A close up of the ZigZag’s four-gun barrels and gimbal mounted camera (via Sky Defenders)

Ukrainian drone developers ВІТРУГАН introduced their ‘Ги́цель’ (Gitsel) gun-armed drone on 19 March. The Gitsel is equipped with a pair of 30mm barrels and the developers claim is has ‘automatic target acquisition and firing when the target is within the strike zone’ but it can also be operated manually. ВІТРУГАН have so far only shared photographs of the Gitsel and while there is no video of it in operation they say it can be used against both aerial and ground targets. The barrels in the photographs appear to be cut down metal piping wired for electrical ignition through the rear end of the barrel. They appear to be mounted on on a 3D printed assembly.

Most recently on the 29 March, the 2nd Mechanised Battalion of the 30th Separate Mechanised Brigade shared a minute long super-cut video of a gun-armed drone engaging more than 20 Russian quadcopter drones. Most fall to the ground after suffering damage to their rotors but one explodes upon being hit, with the shot likely hitting a piece of ordnance the drone was carrying. The video concludes with footage of one of the downed Russian drones being salvaged and lifted away by a Ukrainian drone.

The flurry of development by both sides illustrates how sorely gun-armed drones are needed to counter the ever pervasive drone threat. The development of the gun-drones is now being undertaken not only be individual developers and units but now also by larger companies and in Russia’s case a state-owned research and development entity. Both sides are also now claiming some limited autonomous targeting capability. While some of the gun-drones have entered operational use it’s unclear if significant numbers have been produced and fielded. Over the coming months we will likely see further fielding of the gun-drones and it will remain to be seen how effective they are and how they may change the dynamic of the conflict’s drone use.

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! You can also find us on the History of Weapons & War app. Thank you for your support!

3D Printed AK ‘Buckshot’ Anti-Drone Rounds

Back in December I published an article/video examining the Russian practice of creating a rudimentary anti-drone round from a 5.45x39mm cartridge case and a handful of ball bearings (BBs). The BBs are encapsulated in shrink-wrap tub ing and then loaded in the cartridge case like a conventional bullet. This was seen to be relatively effective with evidence of multiple workshops independently producing the ammunition.

The ad-hoc production of the ammunition has been seen in locations ranging from kitchen tables to well-laid out large workshops. The rounds have also been tested by Ukrainian forces and there has been some interest in replicating the buckshot cartridges but its unclear if this has come to fruition as yet, shotguns appear to be more prevalent for Ukrainian forces.

3D printing has become a key element in so many aspects of the ongoing war so it was inevitable that it would be leveraged in making this ad-hoc anti-drone ammunition. It appears that several Russian workshops have now developed 3D-printed sabots to replace the shrink-wrap tubing. It appears that this move towards 3D printed sabots is an effort to prevent the barrel being fouled by plastic from the tubing. This is an issue which has been highlighted in a number of posts including a bore scope video published by Ukrainians who tested the home-made rounds. The shrink-wrap likely disintegrates in the barrel leaving behind polymer residues whereas the 3D printed sabots seem to remain intact until they leave the barrel.

The first sighting of the 3D printed sabots came on 23 February, when a Russian telegram channel shared a video showing the printing and assembly of the anti-drone ammunition with 3D printers printing a bullet-shaped sabot. The design and production was attributed to the assault detachment of the 33rd regiment of the 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division. The design consists of a two-piece clam shell-like design which encapsulates the BBs and can be loaded into a 5.45 cartridge case like a conventional projectile. The video shows three 3D printers printing the sabots which hold 4-rounds each. It then shows how the standard cartridge’s projectile is pulled from the case, the sabots are loaded with BBs and then the sabot is tapped down into the case.

The video then shows an individual firing full auto at a target, said to be 75m away away – thought the distance is difficult to verify. It then cuts to a shot of the rifle disassembled and the individual filming states that after four magazines there is no plastic residue in the gas system, barrel or action.

On 26 February, another Russian Telegram channel, Time of Terror, which describes itself as run by a special forces drone group, shared a photograph of a cartridge loaded with sabot with the two halves of an empty sabot next to it, stating that they had been asked to develop the sabot by a subscriber and that tests were ongoing. The nose of sabot has a notably less pronounced point compared to the first example. A day later the same Telegram channel shared another photograph of the ammunition this time with a five-BB sabot, next to a bottle of Crosman copperhead BBs.

Several days later, on 2 March, a short video showing a version of the sabot without the pointed nose was shared. It appears that the point of the sabot’s nose has been filed down. The video’s captions reads [machine translated]: “Based on the feedback, certain modifications were made. After checking them and collecting feedback from other units, we will stop at the most working version.” The video shows a few bursts being fired and several hits on a target down range. The video appears to have been filmed somewhat close to the frontline.

Later the same day another photo of some of the ammunition was shared, notably with the sabots seated at different depths. The caption mentioned the changes that have been made based on feedback [machine translated]: “In the new version, the diameter of the bullet base was reduced by 0.2mm and a chamfer was added instead of rounding, the diameter of the first solid cut-ring was reduced, which ensures easier pressing.”

On 4 March, the same Telegram channel shared a video demonstrating the assembly of one of the rounds. The video shows the pulling of a bullet and then the filling of the sabot with five BBs before the two halves of the sabot are pressed together and placed in the cartridge and tapped home with a hammer. The video’s caption reads [machine translated]: “At present, we observe significant potential in the application of the proposed modernization. Tests are ongoing, collecting data, which is necessary for forming a final conclusion on this issue. It is proposed to begin developing a prototype of equipment for an accelerated pressing procedure.” This would suggest the use of a conventional bullet press rather than a pair of pliers and hammer.

The video also includes footage of testing showing the ammunition being fired at a small rectangle of cardboard. The first two strings have a horizontal spread but with most of the BBs appearing to hit the target. A series of bursts shows the more hits on the target. The engagement range appears to be around 20-25 metres.

On the same day they also shared a short clip of a PKM machine gun being loaded with a belt holding three rounds of anti-drone 7.62x54mmR ammunition. Not much can be seen in the video but its likely that the 7.62 sabots can hold six or seven BBs. The caption notes [machine translated]: “In parallel, tests are being conducted for the modernized rifle bullet 7.62… Three rounds were fired in single mode. Results will be added later, looking ahead I will say that there is potential.”

The usefulness of having a machine gun with a belt of the anti-drone buckshot ammunition is somewhat debatable, while perhaps not ideal for a patrol or an assault having a belt of anti-drone ammunition while defending a position may be useful. A post from 8 March, shows the development of a loading punch and the use of nail varnish on the nose of the round as a means of adhering the nose of the sabot together preventing it parting. The most recent post from Time of Terror features couple of photos of a large batch of five-BB sabots. The caption states: “made a batch of 10,000. The test variants showed a very satisfactory result. I am waiting for further feedback and hope to put an end to this process as soon as possible.”

The evolution of these makeshift anti-drone rounds has moved rapidly, with the shift to 3D printing in some areas leading to the potential production of thousands of rounds. While printing may expedite one element of production the loading of the sabots and the seating of them in cartridge cases remains a bottle neck in the manufacturing of the rounds.

Update – 3/4/25

Another version of the 3D printed sabots has appeared on line in a video showing a Ukrainian combatant from the . Printed as once piece the sabot has five recesses for BBs. A video shows the firing of three rounds from an AK-74 pattern rifle. A target is shown approximately 5 metres away with a pattern of impacts from the anti-drone rounds.

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! You can also find us on the History of Weapons & War app. Thank you for your support!

Ukraine’s Fixed Wing Gun Drone

Since our last article/video on gun-armed drones in September 2024, both sides have continued to develop the technology. We’ll be taking a look at the latest develeopments in gun-armed rotor-powered drones in a future article/video, in this video we’re going to take a look at the latest development: a gun-armed fixed wing UAV.

The first imagery of the ‘ZigZag’ UAV developed by Ukrainian drone manufacturer Sky Defenders was shared on social media 15 March. Shared on Sky Defenders’ official social media channels the minute long video shows a fixed wing UAV being launched, once in the sky the video cuts to an onboard camera view which features a crude but unmistakable sighting ring. In the nose of the UAV we can see a pair of tubes set side by side. The video shows a test flight of the twin prop UAV.

The ZigZag during flight testing, without its guns mounted, February 2025 (via Sky Defenders)

This appears to be the second fixed-wing drone developed by Sky Defenders. the first is the Vyryi M7 which is now said to be being delivered to Ukrainian units. The M7 is a loitering, or one-way, munition, powered by a single rear prop it has a 33km range and a warhead in its nose.

In an earlier video shared by a Misha a member of the Sky Defender’s team, posted on 5 March, we get a closer look at the ZigZag gun-armed drone. The video’s caption reads: “Please support the combat tests of the Zigzag interceptor aircraft. This UAV is quite an achievement for my small but really awesome team. We put all our resources into this project.”

The ZigZag firing its left, top, gun barrel during testing (via Sky Defenders)

The ZigZag has been in development since at least February 2025, with Sky Defenders sharing a short video from flight testing of the drone with the UAV seen without its four guns.

It appears that the drone actually has four rather than two gun barrels. There is only a short clip of the drone’s guns being tested and it doesn’t appear that the drone’s flight is impacted by the recoil of the gun. From the fuselage design it appears that the drone will not be using the counterweight recoilless gun designs used by the quadcopter gun-armed drones. It’s likely the the ZigZag is powerful enough to fire conventional-type ‘shotgun’ and withstand the recoil.

A close up of the ZigZag’s four-gun barrels and gimbal mounted camera (via Sky Defenders)

In the video we can see the aiming post and ring and behind it a camera on a 360-degree gimbal mount which enables aiming. While the M7 drone is a one-way-munition and not designed to return the ZigZag appears to be more robust and intended for repeated sorties. The range, weight and loitering time of the UAV is currently unknown. The role of the ZigZag appears to be as a dedicated drone hunter able to rapidly intercept opposing drones and engage them with its guns. It will be interesting to see how the ZigZag is employed.

The Sky Defenders ZigZag represents another interesting step in the rapidly evolving gun-armed drone space in Ukraine.

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! You can also find us on the History of Weapons & War app. Thank you for your support!