Russia and Ukraine have been using a wide variety of weapons in the ongoing conflict. Here are the key points:
- Both sides are using a mix of old and new firearms
- Ukraine has received equipment from many NATO countries
- Russia is relying more on its weapons and those from allies
What types of weapons are being used?
The weapons being used fall into a few main categories:
- Standard-issued firearms and gear for each military
- Surplus or old equipment from storage
- Imported weapons from other countries
- Captured guns and gear from the opposing side
Russian Weapons
Russia’s troops are mostly using Russian-made weapons like the:
- AK-12 assault rifles
- Their body armor and gear
However, there have been some issues with the AK-12, like the safety mechanism breaking.
Militia forces in areas like Luhansk and Donetsk often use old surplus Soviet weapons and gear they can find.
Ukrainian Weapons
Ukraine’s forces have a huge mix of weapons from NATO allies, including:
- Assault rifles like M16s, Famas, Bren 2s
- Anti-tank missiles and launchers
- Body armor and gear from all over
They’ve received so much donated equipment that entire units may use different firearms.
The one unifying factor is that Ukrainian troops are well-equipped with rifles, armor, and helmets, no matter the specific brands and models.
Comparing the Two Sides
While Russia makes good military gear, they didn’t produce enough modern equipment for this extended conflict. They’ve had to import items from places like China and Iran.
Ukraine, on the other hand, has been receiving a steady flow of NATO-standard weapons and gear. However, the mix of brands and models creates logistics challenges.
Ukraine has had more Western instruction in night combat with thermal optics and camouflage, which gives it an advantage.
Both sides are currently well-supplied with small arms and infantry equipment – though the types vary greatly between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
What other questions do you have about the weapons and gear used in this conflict? Let me know if any part needs to be explained more simply.