Ukraine Goes on the Offensive: As Ukrainian forces continue their secretive operation in Kherson, the biggest counteroffensive launched by the Ukrainians since February, video footage shared online this week offers an insight into the intensity of the fighting in the region.
Drone footage released by the Ukrainian military shows clips of Marines using tanks and Turkish-donated military vehicles against Russian positions in Kherson. The footage also shows Russian troops fleeing their positions as tanks fire at Russian equipment at extremely short range.
Popular war tracking account Ukraine Weapons Tracker shared the footage on Monday, noting that Ukrainians were using Turkish-supplied BMS Kirpi Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles in the fighting as well.
“#Ukraine: Intense mechanised combat footage of Ukrainian Marines using tanks and Turkish-donated BMC Kirpi IMV against Russian forces during the ongoing #Kherson offensive,” a post reads.
“A Russian vehicle, possibly a BMP, is destroyed by Ukrainian tank fire at close range.”
The footage shows tanks firing as they continue to move past Russian positions, with the Turkish-supplied vehicles providing support.
#Ukraine: Intense mechanised combat footage of Ukrainian Marines using tanks and Turkish-donated BMC Kirpi IMV against Russian forces during the ongoing #Kherson offensive.
A Russian vehicle, possibly a BMP, is destroyed by Ukrainian tank fire at close range. pic.twitter.com/7YqtR41UKB
— ?? Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) September 5, 2022
Turkey’s BMC Kirpi IMV in Ukraine
The Turkish-supplied mine-resistant vehicles used in the clip may have come from a recent aid package from Ankara, confirmed in August. The Turkish government announced the delivery of 50 used mine-resistant vehicles to Ukraine.
The donation was made as part of a government agreement between Ankara and Kyiv, rather than between Ukraine and the manufacturer, BMC.
A government source told Defense News in mid-August, speaking on the condition of anonymity, that an initial batch of 50 vehicles was on the way. Further deliveries of the vehicles were also confirmed.
The Turkish-manufactured military vehicles are designed to provide a safe way to transport soldiers, ammunition, and supplies. Each vehicle is equipped with a GPS system, rearview cameras, seat dampers, and fire-extinguishing systems. The vehicles can also be equipped with weapons, including 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns.
The bulletproof windows provide additional safety for passengers, and the vehicle can also be used in conjunction with remote-controlled weapons systems.
Ukraine Makes Real Progress In Kherson
Ukraine’s offensive in Kherson has delayed Russia’s planned referendum in the region. Russian forces in southeastern Ukraine have spent months preparing to survey the remaining civilians in the region to determine whether they want Ukraine or Russia to govern them.
The polls, described as “pseudo referendums” by Kyiv, were expected to take place in the coming weeks. On Monday, however, Russian-backed officials in Kherson said that they would delay the vote because of the military activity in the area.
Deputy leader of the Russian-installed administration in Kherson, Kirill Stremousov, initially indicated that “current developments” mean the referendums would be delayed – however, in a video shared on Telegram, Stremousov changed his position on the matter and said that no delay would take place as a date had not already been set.
A soldier from the Idaho Army National Guard, Charlie Company, 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team makes Idaho National Guard history with the first firing of a Javelin anti-tank missile.
In a historic moment of training for the Idaho Army National Guard, soldiers from Charlie Company, 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, fired the FGM – Javelin portable anti-tank missile on Sunday while conducting a series of field training exercises scheduled for the week on the Orchard Combat Training Center ranges.
“The referendum in the Kherson region will be held in any weather, no matter what,” Stremousov said.
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society.
