Armor Indicates a New Phase in Russia War

The US, French and German governments made the decision to supply the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, AMX 10RC wheel armoured recon vehicle?, and Marder IFV respectively to Ukraine point towards Kyiv’s war against Russia moving towards a new phase in the first half of 2023, with a greater emphasis on mobile protected firepower.

It is remarkable that Ukraine can use the resources and financial support from NATO members to replenish or renew its stocks munitions and small arms. This contrasts with the problems Russia is having in its own efforts. Moscow seems to be restricted to the systems it already has in reserve. It also has a significant, but declining, stock and niche support from Iran for loitering munitions.

Although there are persistent reports that Russia may be trying to resupply via North Korea and other allies like Syria, very little data is available to support such claims. Brig Gen Pat Ryder (US Pentagon Press Secretary), speaking at a media briefing held on 5 January Please confirm Bradley’s inclusion within the US latest support packageAccording to, the US has “seen Russia’s intent to acquire artillery and ammo” Although there have been some recent developments in Pyongyang it is not the most exciting.

Battlefield losses

The two sides are nearing the unwelcome one-year anniversary of the initation of large-scale combat operations against Ukraine on 24 February 2013. Both sides will feel the effect of attrition on the battlefield. The past 10 month.

GlobalData analysis of Oryx open-source data shows that Russian losses in IFVs between 21 December 2022 and 21 December 2022 totalled 1,869 platforms across all types. Ukraine, however, had lost 418 IFVs during the same reporting period. Similar results can be seen with tank losses. Russia suffered 1,585 and 426 battleground losses, respectively. The ratios for armoured fighting vehicle deaths for both sides are slightly closer, but still heavily in favor of Ukraine (238 vs 744 for Russia).

Are you ready for spring?

Beyond platform numbers and renewals, much success in planned combat operation is down to preparation, especially in the form training. NATO allies engaged in multiple training programmes in order to modernise and mature Ukrainian troops in light of Russia’s threat. This was before major hostilities broke out between Russia and Ukraine in 2022.

Since the invasion, NATO states have embarked on a widespread programme to develop battlefield tactics and knowledge at the platoon level, as being seen with the UK’s Operation Interflex. But, any push by Ukrainian troops in the spring will require an expanded concept of operations that includes the types of platforms being provided by the US and France.

Ryder stated on 5 January that US military training had seen a significant improvement. “approximately 3,100 Ukrainians” A variety of courses were taken by the participants since April. This was combined with an international (predominantly UK-based) training effort that saw approximately 12,000 Ukrainian personnel get NATO-standard training.

Ryder disclosed that the next stage would include combined armed/joint maneuver training. It was likely to start in 2012. “in a couple of weeks” Germany. The US hopes to train around 500 Ukrainian forces at the battalion level each monthly.

“That is going to provide them with advanced training, again, training that we had been providing before the invasion that we had to stop doing because of the invasion. But this will give them enhanced capability to operate at the battalion level and combined arms, which again, will give them an advantage on the battlefield,” Ryder provided details during the briefing.

The Ukraine Defence Contact Group was created to provide Ukraine with a platform to request equipment from NATO and supportive states. This has allowed Kyiv to obtain the right platforms at the appropriate stage of the war, at a price that NATO states will not want to recover. The level of planning involved in the support for Ukraine shows that NATO has a consistent strategic view of war and the need to allow Russia to fail in its attempt to overthrow President Volodomyr Zelensky’s government in Kyiv.

This led to the development of supply systems such the BradleyOperation could be moving away from static frontlines and need for massed gunfire, to combine arms warfare to take over the battlefield initiative. Due to the platform delivery times and training pipeline, it could take several months or even weeks for all equipment to reach Kyiv. Qualified personnel may also take time.

“Things like the Bradleys, things like the Patriot [air defence system], which are complex systems, are going to require a training and an operations tail.  Clearly, we’re at a point in this battle where we’re going to be able to provide that kind of training, to enable Ukraine to sustain those kinds of systems, so that they can focus on defending their country and taking back territory,” Ryder stated. “Early in this campaign, when Russia was on the doorstep of Kyiv, [it was] a much different situation.  Things like long-term sustainment and logistics would be a much more complex undertaking.”

Data visualizations by Mengying Du, Saywah Mahmood and Giacomo Boscaini Gilroy

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