Ukrainian ingenuity: Stryker used as a battering ram in Kursk
During the battles in the Kursk region, an unusual incident occurred. A Stryker-wheeled transport vehicle supplied to Ukraine by the USA was not withdrawn from combat despite running out of ammunition. The Ukrainian crew decided to use it as a battering ram, targeting scattered Russian soldiers. What is the Stryker, and what are the capabilities of this equipment?
The United States has provided Ukraine approximately 200 Stryker wheeled transporters in various versions. These vehicles have been delivered, among others, to the 80th Lviv Separate Air Assault Brigade, which is participating in battles conducted in Russia in the Kursk region.
During one encounter, an unusual event was recorded. The Ukrainian Stryker, most likely after exhausting its ammunition, was not withdrawn from combat – its crew began ramming Russian forces, taking advantage of the vehicle’s resistance to small arms fire and the absence of anti-tank weapons among the enemy.
Stryker designed for air transport
The Stryker vehicles are modified Canadian LAV III wheeled transporters adapted for the American army's needs. They were developed at the beginning of the 21st century with the idea of light brigades, whose main advantage was their very high mobility and capability for air transport deployment.
This led to limiting the size and weight of the Strykers. The eight-wheeled transporter is just under 7 metres long and, in the most popular variant, the M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicle, it weighs around 16 metric tonnes.
Ceramic armour and armament of the Stryker
A steel hull with Mexas ceramic modules mounted ensures the crew's safety. The hull is resistant to fire from weapons of calibre up to 14.5 mm. The front of the vehicle is additionally reinforced, offering protection against anti-tank projectiles of calibre up to 30 mm. This represents a higher protection level than that of Russian transporters.
Most Stryker variants have a remotely controlled M151 Protector module with an Mk19 grenade launcher and an M240 machine gun, or—as in the case of most vehicles supplied to Ukraine—a large-calibre M2 machine gun of 12.7 mm calibre. There is also a fire support version called the M1128 Mobile Gun System, which has a 105 mm cannon.
