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Defense Express Weekly Review: Ukraine's Breakthrough in Kursk Demonstrates to NATO How to Combat russia, Capture russian Volnorez EW System, How Many Tu-22M3 Left in russia

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illustrative photo credit 3rd Tank Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
illustrative photo credit 3rd Tank Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Digest of Defense Express on the main events of the week

Ukraine's Breakthrough in Kursk Showed NATO How to Fight Against russia

The offensive operation by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, unofficially known as the Kursk Breakthrough, has shifted the paradigm of the war between Ukraine and russia. After the widely announced effort to launch a counteroffensive in 2023, when the risk of this war transitioning to a positional warfare stalemate, Ukraine started a new operation that proves: large-scale campaigns are still possible, and they can be successful.

Defense Express
Ukrainian tank with tactical markings during combat operations on the outskirts of Sudzha, August 6, 2024 / Screenshot from a video published by the Airborne Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

U.S. Draws Historical Parallels to Ukrainian Operation in Kursk and Explains Its Importance

The Ukrainian Defense Forces' operation in the Kursk Oblast naturally attracts attention from Western analysts, who are trying to provide their explanatory frameworks for these events.

Read more: ​Defense Express' Weekly Review: FPVs vs. Helicopters, Submarines Beyond Salvation

Ukraine Approves Supply of Buffalo MPV, One of the World's Safest Armored Vehicles, to Armed Forces - Ministry of Defense

Buffalo MPV, Defense Express
Buffalo MPV

This class of military vehicles features advanced ballistic protection, including a V-shaped hull to dissipate blast energy and shock-absorbing seats. The armored vehicles are designed with a monolithic armor capsule and external explosion-absorbing units.

Ukrainian Forces Capture russian Volnorez EW System in Kursk Region, Unveil Key Specs

russian Volnorez electronic warfare system, Defense Express
russian Volnorez electronic warfare system / Photo credit: ButusovPlus

In August 2024, Ukrainian military forces successfully captured russian Volnorez electronic warfare system in Kursk oblast, complete with its accompanying documentation.

How Many Tu-22M3 Strategic Bombers Left in russia and How Many Produced

Tu-22M3 strategic bomber, Defense Express
Tu-22M3 strategic bomber / Open source illustrative photo

After the loss of another Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber on August 15 in Irkutsk Oblast, the question arises: how many of these aircraft are produced in russia per year and how many are left.

The reason of the aircraft losses is not only the accidents, but also the result of successful actions by the Defense Forces of Ukraine

Ukrainian Strikes on Voronezh, Borisoglebsk and Savasleyka Air Bases Compromise russia’s Ability to Launch the Kinzhal Missiles

Ukrainian drones successfully target fuel infrastructure in russia, Defense Express
Ukrainian drones successfully target fuel infrastructure in russia / Photo credit: Google Earth

On the night of August 14, Ukraine successfully launched a new series of strikes on russian airfields within russia. The targets included airbases near Voronezh, Borisoglebsk and Savasleyka, from which russian MiG-31K aircraft equipped with the Kh-47 Kinzhal missiles frequently operate.

There is now reason to believe that future operations from this base may be significantly hindered.

Ukrainian Soldiers Unveil Drone "Combat Provoker" Urging russian Occupiers to Surrender

Defense Express
Ukrainian Defense Forces drone with acoustic influence tools on the enemy, summer 2024 / social media footage

A video has recently become available that shows a new and interesting format for using drones by the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Specifically, it demonstrates the use of a drone as a flying "combat provoker" for psychological impact on the enemy, aiming to force enemy soldiers to surrender.

FPV Drone Targeting a 276-Ton Locomotive is Strange But It Speaks Volumes About russian Logistics

Defense Express
Another train targeted by a Ukrainian FPV drone, August 2024 / Screenshot credit: the Ronins of the 56th Mechanized Brigade UAF

Why Ukrainians decided to attack such a massive and unusual target and what it tells about the way russians utilize their railway lines in the territories they've occupied.

Argentina Is Going to Restore Promised to Ukraine Super Etendard Aircraft

What kind of aircraft they are and what are the prospects for their restoration.

Defense Express
The Argentine military during the decommissioning of Super Etendard aircraft, May 2023 / Open source illustrative photo

In early June 2024, it became known that Argentina intended to transfer five Super Etendard Modernise aircraft to Ukraine.

Read more: Defense Express’ Weekly Review: a New Threat to russian Aircraft, the S-400 Radars Hit in Crimea, Frontline vs. ICBM Protection