Stolen Ukrainian combat vehicle prototype found in Mariupol

In the Russian-occupied Mariupol, a missing prototype of the Azovets combat vehicle was found. The Security Service of Ukraine has been investigating the misappropriation of funds allocated for its development. This prototype had been stolen from the manufacturer's plant, and its whereabouts were unknown for years.

Azovets is a prototype Ukrainian combat vehicle constructed on the chassis of a T-64 tank but with the turret and armaments removed. This reduction in weight allowed for the addition of armour, including extra armour plates and Duplet reactive armour, a two-layer variant of the Knife armour.

Rather than a single turret with a cannon, the Azovets chassis was equipped with two remotely controlled modules, each armed with a GSh-23 23 mm gun, a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun, and two launchers for Korsar or Stugna anti-tank guided missiles.

In essence, Azovets mirrors the concept behind the Russian BMPT Terminator vehicle.

The development of Azovets began in 2015, and, as often happens with prototypes, it encountered numerous issues. These included flaws in sensors, where cameras from intercoms were used. Despite these issues, with its weight just over 40 metric tonnes, the vehicle offered substantial protection.

Its armour could stop certain anti-tank-guided missiles and some of the older projectiles fired by tank guns.

The disappearance of Azovets, amid the scandal and investigation into its developers, occurred before the Russian advance—it was stolen from the manufacturing plant in Kyiv. Its discovery was facilitated by the help of local residents of Mariupol, who revealed the prototype's hiding place to the Russians.

The vehicle's condition is likely so poor that it won't be used in combat. Nonetheless, its findings, particularly the details of how it was stolen and hidden for years, have provided fodder for the Kremlin's propaganda efforts, highlighting the recovery of rare equipment and the saga surrounding its theft and concealment.