Belarusian volunteers advancing near Kursk with captured Russian tanks

Belarusian volunteers are taking part in the offensive near Kursk. This is evidenced, among other things, by a recording showing a tank with a flag used by the anti-Lukashenko opposition. It is known that the armoured unit "Tur," whose core members are Belarusians, is fighting in the region. They have acquired a lot of equipment from the Russians.

The unit "Tur," part of the 225th Separate Assault Battalion, periodically reports on newly captured weaponry. In the ranks of the Ukrainian army, there is also a regiment named after Konstanty Kalinowski, which is comprised of Belarusians (so-called Kalinovtsi). Although details about the specific equipment the volunteers are using in the offensive near Kursk are lacking, it is worth noting that they possess many heavy vehicles.

The unit "Tur" uses a captured T-90M Proryv-3 tank, among other vehicles. This is the most advanced vehicle the Russians are using in the war they initiated in Ukraine. These machines, upgrades of the T-90 models, were put into service in 2020.

T-90M Proryv-3 tanks utilise advanced thermal imaging technology made in France and an improved 2A46M-5 cannon adapted for new, longer 3BM70-type rounds. The vehicles are equipped with modern two-layer Relikt reactive armour. According to the manufacturer, this type of armour is more effective against kinetic penetrators APFSDS-T and tandem-charge HEAT rounds than earlier versions.

The T-90M Proryv-3 tank is notable for its unusual ability to fire standard rounds from its cannon and 9K119 Refleks anti-tank guided missiles, which have a range exceeding 5 kilometres.

The volunteers also have a captured MT-LB vehicle, while the Kalinovtsi have a BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle and a Soviet-era T-72 main battle tank. The first of these machines is used to evacuate wounded soldiers.

MT-LB, or Object-6, is an amphibious armoured personnel carrier developed in the 1960s. Its 8-cylinder engine has 240 horsepower, allowing it to reach speeds of over 60 kilometres per hour on land and about 5 kilometres per hour in water. Its maximum range is 500 kilometres.

MT-LB can carry up to 12 people. Its offensive capabilities include a single 7.62 mm PKT machine gun. Many specialised vehicles have also been developed based on the MT-LB, including rocket launchers, artillery radars, and even anti-aircraft guns, cranes, and winches.

The BMP-2 was produced in the 1980s. It is equipped with a 30 mm 2A42 cannon, a machine gun, and – in its original version – a single 9K113 Konkurs anti-tank guided missile launcher. The most significant drawback of this vehicle is its weak armour.

The BMP-2, weighing only 14,000 kilogrammes and carrying 11 people (three crew members and eight passengers), has a low level of protection. Its side armour can be penetrated by larger-calibre small-arms fire.

The T-72 was introduced into service in 1973, and its operation is well-known to Ukrainian soldiers. The tank weighs about 40,000 kilogrammes, and its maximum speed is 60 kilometres per hour on roads and 45 kilometres per hour off-road. The vehicle is renowned for its weak armour and powerful 125 mm cannon. The tank's armament includes two 7.62 mm machine guns and one 12.7 mm machine gun.

Combined with the Ukrainians' substantial forces, the Belarusian volunteers could significantly support the offensive near Kursk. This is especially true as the attackers are capturing more tanks in the area, some of which are being abandoned by the Russians without a fight.