Armament of the Russian Army

[Soldier35]

As part of the ongoing Russian military exercises "Zapad-2025", footage of Tu-22M3 bombers dropping bombs has been published. The goal of the exercises is to disrupt the control system and destroy critical facilities. In the video, a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber drops OFAB-250-270 high-explosive fragmentation aviation bombs. The drop is carried out from altitudes of about 1,000 meters. The training and combat missions were carried out taking into account the combat experience gained.

 

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Footage of a Su-34 frontline bomber dropping OFAB-250-270 high-explosive fragmentation bombs has been released as part of the ongoing Russian military exercises "Zapad-2025." The video shows the Su-34 dropping OFAB-250-270 high-explosive fragmentation bombs from an altitude of 400 meters. Developed in the USSR, the OFAB-250-270 bomb weighs 268 kg and contains 94 kg of explosive. When detonated, the bomb can create up to 11,500 fragments. Typically, the OFAB-250-270 bomb, without the UMPK, is dropped from altitudes of 500 meters to 12 kilometers, at aircraft speeds of 500 to 1,500 km/h. The OFAB-250-270 bomb's fragmentation radius against a stationary enemy is up to 51 meters.

 

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A Russian Army UAZ-452 with a homemade studded anti-drone system. The UAZ-452 was developed at the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant in the 1960s. Russian military personnel installed a homemade anti-drone system on the vehicle, consisting of rebar spikes. This is one of the most unusual anti-drone systems recently unveiled. Although the vehicle resembles a vehicle from the film "Mad Max," this protection is quite effective today. It's worth noting that the windshield is a weak point.

 

[Soldier35]

Russia is testing the first compact anti-drone MANPADS, the VEKTOP, designed to combat UAVs. The MANPADS uses a missile with a flight speed of up to 450 km/h. It can intercept targets at altitudes of up to 2,000 meters, and targets flying at altitudes of up to 700 meters. The warhead can use small fragmentation charges, including the VOG-17 and VOG-25. The fragmentation radius of an aerial target is expected to reach up to 10 meters. It's worth noting that the MANPADS is relatively inexpensive; the tube for the MANPADS is 3D-printed. The MANPADS's specifications are still preliminary; whether it will go into production depends on support from the Russian Ministry of Defense. The MANPADS is expected to be tens of times cheaper than modern standard MANPADS.

 

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Footage from the Zapad-2025 exercise featuring Russian counter-maritime drone units. The video shows the drones being engaged with large-caliber small arms, which some ships have been equipped with. It's worth noting that this isn't sufficient to protect the ships. The second part of the video shows the use of the Berezhok stationary combat module, which is mounted on a vessel. In the video, the combat module is used to protect the coastline. The module is armed with a 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon and a Kornet anti-tank missile system. A stationary target is used to simulate an unmanned boat, significantly facilitating the operator's work.

 

[Soldier35]

A batch of new Russian Su-35S fighters, manufactured in September by the Yury Gagarin Aircraft Plant, was delivered to the Russian Ministry of Defense as part of a state defense order. This is the fourth batch of aircraft this year. The Su-35S is a successful development of the Soviet fourth-generation heavy fighter, the Su-27. In terms of performance, the aircraft is almost on par with fifth-generation fighters, although it is inferior primarily in radar signature.
The aircraft have undergone a full cycle of factory testing, have been accepted by technical personnel, and have been pilot-tested in various operating modes.

 

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A training exercise involving the crew of a Russian T-90M "Proryv" tank, part of the "Center" force group. The soldiers practiced tactical fire pressure and tank operations from an indirect fire position at the training ground

 

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Footage from the first close-up shot in Russia of the Ukrainian Magura-V5 marine drone, equipped with FPV drones. The unmanned boat was discovered on September 24 off the coast of the Russian city of Tuapse. The Magura-V5 drone is based on a Chinese jet ski; a review of the drone is available on this channel. The marine drone is controlled via Starlink and Kymeta satellite communications channels. A mobile network can also be used for coastal control; the drone is equipped with a router. Containers for launching FPV drones controlled via fiber optics are installed onboard. Judging by the coils, the FPV drones have a control range of approximately 15 kilometers. Russian specialists have already begun studying the marine drone.

 

[Soldier35]

Russian oil refineries have begun protecting themselves from drones. A video captured by an eyewitness shows an oil refinery in Samara equipped with special protective nets to protect against drones. The protective nets and metal structures are intended to protect the facility from drone attacks. It's worth noting that oil refineries and oil depots in Russia are not protected by military air defenses. The management of these facilities is responsible for organizing anti-drone protection. Similar anti-drone protection has now been installed at several other oil refineries in Russia.

 

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The Russian company "Russian Combat Vehicles" unveiled the "Legioner" armored pickup truck. It is not yet clear whether the new armored vehicle will be mass-produced. The armored vehicle was built using the experience of modern warfare. The all-wheel drive "Legioner" features an armored cabin and an open cargo bed. The pickup is equipped with a mount for a machine gun or electronic warfare systems. The bed can carry two wounded personnel. The pickup has a BR 5 protection class, protecting the crew from automatic weapons fire, including rifle rounds with heat-strengthened cores. The "Legioner" armored vehicle weighs 6.5 tons and has a payload capacity of 2.5 tons. The armored vehicle is equipped with a YaMZ-534 diesel engine producing 200 hp, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 100 km/h. The armored vehicle has a range of approximately 750 km. The price of the "Legioner" pickup has not been announced.

 

[Soldier35]

Footage of Russian assault cavalry training. The idea came from a unit commander with the call sign "Khan" from the 9th Brigade of the 51st Russian Army. He explained that assault troopers in full gear have to march 10-15 kilometers, then return, leaving them exhausted. Horses are also used to transport ammunition and evacuate the wounded in areas where armored vehicles cannot penetrate. The soldiers are currently training on Karachay horses. The cavalrymen work in tandem with drones. The new method could prove an effective complement to the work of motorized groups and armored vehicles in difficult terrain.

 

[Soldier35]

Russian communications specialists from the 36th Guards Combined Arms Army, part of the "East" group of forces, demonstrated the use of a remote control system for an all-terrain fiber-optic cable-laying vehicle. The cable-laying vehicle is based on the Chinese-made Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicle. The primary purpose of this remote control system is to reduce the risk to soldiers from drones during communications missions. The cable-laying vehicle can lay up to 5 kilometers of fiber-optic cable in various ground conditions.

 

[Soldier35]

Russia is developing a modified Su-57M1 fighter jet, which will approach sixth-generation fighters in capabilities. The first information about it was published by media outlets, citing sources close to the United Aircraft Corporation. According to analysts, the Su-57M1 will compete with the promising American F-35 Plus fighter. A brief overview of the new features. According to initial, as yet unconfirmed, data, the Su-57M1 will receive the latest AL-51F1 engines. An upgraded N036 Belka X-band radar will enable the detection of fighter-type targets at ranges of up to 520 km.

The aircraft will be able to cooperate with a swarm of drones using artificial intelligence. Avionics and electronic warfare systems will be improved, and automation will be enhanced. The onboard flight control system will incorporate elements of artificial intelligence. New materials and technological solutions will be used for stealth treatment of air intakes and compartments, which will reduce the aircraft's signature. The Su-57M1 will be easier to maintain and upgrade thanks to its modular architecture. Weapons will also be upgraded.

 

[Soldier35]

The Russian Air Force received a new batch of Su-34 frontline fighter-bombers in October under a state defense order. The number of aircraft is not disclosed, but typically ranges from two to four. This is the fifth batch of combat aircraft of this type since the beginning of 2025. According to Vadim Badekha, CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation, more aircraft will be delivered this year. The Su-34 is currently the most actively used aircraft in military aviation. Throughout its service, the aircraft has confirmed its status as the best in its class and remains a key element of Russia's combat aviation.

 

[Soldier35]

Russia is expanding its production of drone components. Russian company Batareon, a developer and supplier of lithium battery systems under the NETHER brand, has opened its first full-cycle lithium-ion battery production plant. The plant was built in the Laishevo Industrial Park in the Innopolis Special Economic Zone, near Kazan. It will manufacture batteries, battery cells, chargers, and BMS boards—electronic controllers that manage battery operation. The plant's production capacity is designed to produce up to 700,000 units per year, a level it plans to reach by 2026.