Russia Army Land Forces and Vehicles Programs

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The video shows the Russian 2S43 "Malva" 152-mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer, mounted on a BAZ-6910-027 "Voshchina" chassis. The howitzer is equipped with anti-drone grilles. The howitzer is used by the 27th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Tank Army of the "West" Group of Forces. 2S43 "Malva" howitzers began entering service with the Russian army in 2023 (see comments on the video).

Technical information about the Russian 2S43 Malva howitzer

 

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Footage of a Russian 203-mm 2S7 "Pion" self-propelled gun crew operating. The 2S7 is the most powerful howitzer in the Russian army, used by soldiers of the 45th Artillery Brigade of the "West" group of forces. The 2S7 "Pion" howitzer was developed in the USSR in 1975 and later modernized to the 2S7M "Malka" version. The howitzer can fire shells with a nuclear warhead, equivalent to approximately 2 kilotons of TNT. The howitzer is equipped with a 2A44 artillery gun weighing 14.6 tons. Technical specifications of the 2S7 self-propelled gun are on the screen. The howitzer is operated by seven personnel and is capable of hitting targets at a range of 47.5 kilometers using rocket-assisted projectiles. The rate of fire of the "Pion" self-propelled gun is 1.5-2 rounds per minute. Russia currently has 50 2S7M Malka howitzers and 75 2S7 Pion howitzers in service. 160 2S7 Pion howitzers are in storage as of 2024. The Ukrainian army also uses the 2S7 Pion howitzer.

 

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A crew from the 46th Artillery Brigade operates a 240mm Russian 2S4 Tyulpan self-propelled mortar. The 2S4 combat vehicle, weighing 27 tons and powered by a diesel engine producing over 500 hp, is currently the most powerful self-propelled mortar in the Russian army. Russia currently has 39 2S4 Tyulpan self-propelled mortars in service and 160 in storage, as of 2024.

Technical information about the 2S4 Tyulpan

 

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A test episode of the Russian homemade Malvina rocket-launched platform, the system's preliminary designation. The system is armed with two 220mm thermobaric rockets. The same ammunition is used in the TOS-1A Solntsepyok multiple launch rocket system. Technical data is not yet available. The system's firing range could be up to 15 km.

 

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The Uralvagonzavod concern delivered a batch of IMR-3M engineering mine clearing vehicles to the Russian engineering troops. The IMR-3M mine clearing vehicle is designed to create column routes in difficult terrain for troop advancement, as well as to create passages through minefields. The IMR-3M is based on the T-90 tank chassis and was accepted into service in 1999. The IMR-3M engineering vehicle can be used as an "assault tank," capable of demolishing non-permanent buildings and creating breaches in walls. The IMR-3M is equipped with a universal hydraulic dozer blade and a mine sweeper with an electromagnetic attachment. The IMR-3M also has a telescopic boom that performs several functions: a manipulator, a grapple, a bucket with a forward and reverse shovel, and a scraper-ripper. The IMR-3 is known in the military as an "engineering tank," as it is armored like a tank. Technical information about the IMR-3 is shown on the screen. The IMR-3M engineering vehicle is armed with a 12.7mm machine gun and is operated by two soldiers. The IMR-3M weighs 48 tons and reaches speeds of up to 60 km/h, with a range of up to 500 km.

 

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A rare export T-90S tank has been spotted in service with a Russian army unit. The T-90S is equipped with a thermal imager with a French Thales Catherine FC sensor and an "Essa" electro-optical thermal imaging sight, which allows for the search, detection, and identification of targets at any time of day or night at a range of up to 4 km. The tank is also equipped with a simplified anti-drone "brazier."

 

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The Russian holding company High Precision Systems has developed and produced the first batches of the SC 226 and SC 228 "Mnogotochie" multi-bullet cartridges. These new cartridges significantly increase the effectiveness of anti-drone fire. "Mnogotochie" is a combination of the SC 226 5.45mm and the SC 228 7.62mm multi-bullet cartridges.
The cartridge contains a three-element bullet that splits evenly in flight, improving accuracy and the likelihood of hitting small targets such as drones. No modifications to the firearm are required to use the "Mnogotochie" cartridges. Firing with the SC 226 or SC 228 cartridges increases the effectiveness of FPV drone engagement at ranges of up to 300 meters by two and a half times. The production of Mnogotochie cartridges uses standard 5.45mm and 7.62mm caliber cartridges, as well as standard gunpowder, which simplifies the mass production of anti-drone cartridges.

 

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The Russian Burevestnik unmanned systems regiment unveiled the homemade military robotic platform "Kultivator-4." The Kultivator tracked drone is armed with two UB-16-57KV pods with S-5 unguided air-to-air missiles.
The UB-16-57 pod was accepted into service in 1958 and is designed for installation on aircraft and helicopters. The UB-16-57KV pod can launch 16 S-5 57mm rockets to a range of approximately 1,800 meters. The Burevestnik-4 remotely controlled robot is already in active use, with a range of approximately 10 km.

 

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Crews of Terminator tank support combat vehicles from Russia's Center Forces conducted joint exercises with T-80BVM tanks. During the exercises, the Terminator BMPT crews provide cover for the tanks and practice tactics for engaging enemy strongholds and armored vehicles. The Terminator crews practiced loading procedures, performed rapid deployments to firing lines, and engaged targets at ranges of up to 4,000 meters using twin 30mm 2A42 cannons and AGS-17 Plamya automatic grenade launchers at ranges of up to 1,700 meters.

 

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The video shows Russian homemade remote-controlled robotic platforms from the Burevestnik unmanned systems regiment. It's worth noting that despite the technology being homemade, it's already in use and may become mass-produced in the future. The video shows the "Postman" tracked drone, designed to destroy enemy strongholds. The robot's warhead weighs up to 30 kg. The robot does not self-destruct; it only delivers the warhead. The universal robotic platform "Zavesa" is designed to lay smoke screens. The robot is equipped with two BDSh-5 smoke grenades. Technical information is on the screen. The "Roy" remote-controlled tracked drone is armed with six RPO-A "Shmel" rocket-propelled flamethrowers. Technical information on the "Shmel-M" infantry rocket-propelled flamethrower is available on the channel. It's worth noting that this is not the first robot with the RPO "Shmel" rocket-propelled flamethrower. The "Lemonnik" robot with launchers capable of firing 20 hand grenades. All drones have a range of up to 10 km. All equipment is reported to be operating effectively.

 

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Rare footage of the Russian MTU-90M universal tank-launched bridgelayer, based on the T-90S tank chassis, in action. The modernized MTU-90M bridgelayer was accepted into service in 2013 and is designed to build single-span bridges to cross ditches, canals, narrow rivers, and other obstacles up to 19 meters wide. The MTU-90M can also be used in rescue operations. The MTU-90M crew can build a bridge in 2.5 minutes without leaving the vehicle. The folding bridge created by the MTU-90M is made of high-strength steel, can withstand a load of up to 60 tons, and can extend up to 20 meters. The MTU-90M weighs 47 tons and has a speed of up to 60 km/h, with a cruising range of up to 550 km. The MTU-90M has a crew of two.

 

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Russian military equipment arrived at the World Defense Show 2026 military exhibition in Saudi Arabia. Among the items delivered was the Russian BTR-22 armored personnel carrier, developed on the basis of the serial BTR-82A, and the Planshet-A artillery fire control system, based on the Atlet armored vehicle. Various weapons systems and other equipment were also delivered.

Russia's Planshet-A artillery fire control system, based on the Atlet armored vehicle.

 

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An operator of the Russian robotic platform NRTK "Courier" demonstrated a version of the robot with a smoke generator and the process of deploying UDSh smoke bombs.
The standardized Russian UDSh smoke bomb is designed for deploying camouflaging aerosol screens. The UDSh smoke bomb weighs 13.5 kg and has a diameter of 320 mm. It creates a smoke screen lasting 8-10 minutes and extending 100-150 meters. Details in the video.

 

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Kalashnikov Concern delivered a batch of new Izh-Enduro electric motorcycles and Izh-ScootWay electric scooters to the Russian military. The motorcycles and scooters are equipped with special trailers with a load capacity of up to 200 kg. The equipment was developed to meet the needs of military personnel, who require a quiet vehicle that is particularly effective when operating behind enemy lines. Specifications of the Izh-Enduro electric motorcycle: brushless synchronous IPMSM motor with a power output of 4 kW. Battery type: Li-Ion, transmission: clutch/4-speed. The motorcycle has a range of up to 100 km, depending on operating conditions, a maximum speed of up to 120 km/h, and a weight of 100 kg. Specifications of the Izh-ScootWay electric scooter: battery type: Li-Po, range of up to 100 km, load capacity of up to 300 kg.

 

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Personnel training at a training ground in the Southern Military District for Russian mobile air defense fire teams, formed from contract reservists and designed to protect rear infrastructure facilities from drone attacks. The reservists are learning tactics for repelling air attacks in conditions resembling actual combat.

 

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Military correspondent Dmitry Kulko demonstrated new production munitions for Russian FPV drones. The new "Kaplya" munition, with a shaped-charge penetrator core, deserves special attention. Tests of similar munitions were previously shown; the video is linked below. The "Kaplya" munition is designed to destroy various military vehicles with its penetrator core. Judging by the video, the munitions are already in active use, as the video shows a "Kaplya" munition being mounted on the "Prince Vandal Novgorodsky" drone. Also shown are 1.7 kg high-explosive fragmentation munitions and a 4 kg thermobaric munition. Technical details are not provided.

Testing of Russian munitions with a penetrator core

 

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The Russian Burevestnik unmanned aerial vehicle regiment unveiled a prototype of a homemade system for countering fiber-optic-controlled FPV drones. These FPV drones are known to fly along designated corridors, making them convenient and safe to operate. Barbed wire is strung across the drones' path in fields, and a motor is mounted on the end of the installation to rotate the wire. As the drone flies past, its control cable descends to the ground and hits the wire. As the wire rotates, it entangles the drone's communication cable and sever it. The device is simple and quite effective, and it is already in use. However, it is not yet in mass production.

 

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Russian mechanics demonstrated an unusual homemade anti-drone system and a "Mangal" for tracked drones. The "Mangal" is mounted on the Russian NRTK "Courier" robotic platform. It's worth noting that this type of protection for military vehicles was first proposed in Britain in 1941. This type of protection is still frequently offered online. The protection consists of propellers with cables mounted along the sides of the robot. The rotating cables are designed to shoot down incoming drones. It's unlikely that this anti-drone system will be developed further, but testing is planned.

 

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The new Russian MLRS "Sarma" was shown abroad for the first time at the World Defense Show 2026 military exhibition in Saudi Arabia. The presentation of the 300mm MLRS "Sarma" raised many questions about why it was developed when the modernized "Tornado-S" MLRS already exists. Combat tactics have changed, and large concentrations of personnel and equipment are no longer used. Mobility and speed are now important. The "Sarma" MLRS fully meets these requirements and is already in use by the military. The "Sarma" MLRS weighs half as much as the "Tornado-S" MLRS. The "Sarma" MLRS, mounted on a KamAZ-63501 8x8 chassis, is significantly more mobile than the BM 9A54 platform on which the "Tornado-S" MLRS is based.

It's also worth noting the new camouflage of the Sarma MLRS as civilian equipment; the video shows two camouflage options. The Sarma MLRS is now called the "Russian HIMARS." The Sarma MLRS prototype was the 9K58-4 Kama MLRS, which was unveiled in 2007.

The Sarma MLRS is equipped with an armored cabin for three personnel and an automated fire control system. It uses all rockets from previous-generation Smerch and Tornado-S MLRS. It also uses high-precision rockets—the 9M543, 9M544, and 9M549—with technical data on the display, GLONASS/GPS guidance, and a flight speed of 3,960-4,320 kilometers per hour.

The Sarma MLRS can be deployed from traveling to combat position and back in just 3 minutes, and a full salvo of six rockets takes 18 seconds. This is one of the best performance figures in the world for this type of MLRS. class. The Sarma MLRS has a target engagement range of up to 130 km, and with the introduction of new projectiles, this range will increase to 200 km. According to some reports, the Sarma MLRS's estimated firing accuracy with unguided projectiles is 0.21% of the range. The Sarma MLRS weighs approximately 24 tons, has a road speed of up to 95 km/h, a cruising range of 1,000 km, and has dimensions of 11.2 x 2.5 x 3.15 m, with a ground clearance of 390 mm.

 

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The Russian Ministry of Defense received a new batch of BMP-3s produced in 2026. Each BMP-3 is now equipped with a more modern electronic warfare system. The underbody has also been reinforced against blasts, and the spall armor of the rear and front has been increased. Each BMP-3 comes with anti-cumulative gratings, armored screens, and "Nakidka" (cape) signature reduction kits. The attachments and protection are installed on the BMP-3 upon arrival at military units.