Russia Land Forces and Vehicles Programs

[Soldier30]

Footage of Russia's first military tracked drone "Depesha", controlled via fiber optic cable. The first samples are being tested in the troops. The robotic platform "Depesha" is produced on a wheeled and tracked chassis. The ground drone "Depesha" is controlled using a joystick, VR glasses, a monitor or fiber optic cable. The robot is equipped with the Russian hardware and software complex "Prometheus", it allows robotization of any equipment. The tracked version of the robot "Depesha" can work as a miner or scout, and weapons systems can also be installed. The wheeled robot "Depesha" is equipped with a stretcher for evacuating the wounded or a platform for transporting various goods. The manufacturer does not report the operating range of the robot "Depesha" with fiber optic cable control, judging by the reel, it can presumably be 100 kilometers or more. The tracked version of the Depesha drone can carry up to 100 kilograms of cargo and develops a speed of up to 15 kilometers per hour, the wheeled version up to 30 kilometers per hour, other data has not yet been reported.

 

[Soldier30]

The Russian army began to use rare 122 mm D-74 guns. One of the D-74 guns was spotted with the 238th Guards Artillery Brigade. Serial production of D-74 guns began in the USSR in 1956. Presumably, D-74 guns were produced until the mid-sixties. D-74 were exported and were in service with almost two dozen countries. In the 60-90s, they were actively used in various local conflicts. At the same time, serial production was established in China under the designation Type 60.
The use of D-74 guns in the Soviet army ended no later than the eighties. The Russian army also actively uses D-30 artillery guns, but D-74 guns have a longer range, their firing range is up to 23,900 meters. The D-74 uses separate cartridge loading ammunition. The weight of the D-74 gun is 5,500 kg, the aimed rate of fire is up to 7 rounds per minute, the gun is serviced by up to 10 people, the transition time from the traveling to the combat position is up to 2.5 minutes.

 

[Soldier30]

Footage of Russian servicemen training on Chinese-made Desertcross 1000-3 buggies, which we previously covered. Desertcross 1000-3 all-terrain vehicles weigh 1,050 kg and have a load capacity of 550 kg. Servicemen learn to ride all-terrain vehicles on difficult road sections, master first aid techniques, and evacuate the wounded.

 

[Soldier30]

Russian servicemen have started using North Korean Type 73 machine guns, the first machine guns were spotted at a firing range in November. The Type 73 machine gun was adopted by the DPRK army in 1973 and is still in use. The Type 73 machine gun is a clone of the Kalashnikov machine gun and the Czechoslovakian Vz. 52/57 machine gun. The Type 73 machine gun is chambered for 7.62 x 54 rounds. The Type 73 machine gun was actively used in numerous conflicts in the Middle East and became widespread after being supplied to Iran. According to the first assessments of Russian soldiers, the DPRK Type 73 machine gun was heavy and equipped with "strange sighting devices", according to them, they would prefer Russian machine guns. The Type 73 machine gun weighs 10.6 kg and is 1190 mm long. The weapon is fed from either 100- or 250-round non-disintegrating belts or 30-round box magazines. The Type 73 weighs 10.6 kg and is 1190 mm long, with a rate of fire of 600-700 rounds per minute. Interview in video.

 

[Soldier30]

Homemade air defense buggies have begun to be used by Russian mobile air defense groups, and the homemade buggy "ZveraBoy" was also shown earlier. This buggy is built on the basis of the Niva automobile. Despite the simplicity of the design of the vehicles, such mobile air defense groups are quite effective, and are also used by the Ukrainian army. To combat drones, the buggies are armed with six AK-12 assault rifles, located in one plane on the frame. Mortars for firing heat traps and a multi-barrel mount for firing buckshot are also installed. Technical details and who produces the combat vehicles are not reported.