Ukrainian forces obliterate rare Russian armored carrier near Bakhmut

From the information published on social media, the destruction of this BTR-MD Rakushka unit is a result of the actions of soldiers from the 225th Separate Assault Battalion of the Ukrainian Army. The event took place in the Donetsk region, near Bakhmut.

The shared recording shows the BTR-MD Rakushka ablaze. However, it does not present the moment of the attack, which occurred a bit earlier. Observers of the war in Ukraine suggest that, most likely, improvised kamikaze drones were used here.

These are small commercial drones with explosive charges attached. This type of weapon is often used by both sides of the ongoing conflict and poses a real threat to older, poorly armoured vehicles. Sometimes, even newer, more valuable units can be eliminated with such weapons. Instances of drones destroying Russian T‑72B3 tanks and even T‑90M tanks have been recorded.

The BTR-MD Rakushka armoured personnel carriers have been part of the Russian airborne forces' equipment since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but they are a rare sight on the front. According to the Military Balance 2023 report, just under 100 units of such machines are in the invader's equipment.

This amphibious armoured personnel carrier has tracked traction and a 450-horsepower engine. In the terrain, it can reach up to about 50 km/h (on paved roads, even a bit more) and about 10 km/h in water. The vehicle, weighing about 14 tonnes, can carry a crew and several paratroopers and is armed with two 7.62 mm machine guns. Optionally, the designers have provided for the possibility of mounting a 30 mm grenade launcher.

The BTR-MD Rakushka does not provide a high level of protection. The armour can only survive gunfire and shrapnel hits from shells. As a result, the BTR-MD Rakushka is an easy target not only for heavily armed armoured machines. It can be destroyed, for example, by running over a mine or, as the Ukrainians now demonstrated, by a drone strike.