Russian flagship "Moskva" sunk hit with a "Neptune" missile
The week's main news is obviously the destruction of the Russian missile cruiser "Moskva" in the Black Sea. Not just hit or damaged, it sank altogether, presumably, with the commander and most of the crew on board. The first to announce the fire on the warship was Ukraine. Head of the Odesa region military administration Maksym Marchenko said the ship was hit with a "Neptune" coastal defense surface-to-air missile.
Russian defense ministry refused to recognize their highly praised flagship to go down for a while. They continue to spread ideas that the actual reason for the fire on the vessel was an accident, not a Ukrainian strike. Though later US defense department confirmed it was definitely Ukraine to take down the pride of the Russian fleet with two anti-ship missiles.
Read more: Day 53rd of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)
Find out how a Ukrainian-made "Neptune" missile system caused fatal damage to "Moskva". And here is also the insight into Ukraine's defense sector program which allowed this victory to happen.
UralVagonZavod plant has halted the production of T-14 Armata and T-90 tanks
Russian military armor industry suffers from economical sanctions. The overall financial crisis and ban on import of crucial components, including high electronics, make it impossible to continue the manufacture of advanced tanks. Instead, the machinery building plant turned into a repair depot and deployed an "operational headquarters" for the repair of tanks damaged during the war against Ukraine. Long Live Soviet T-34. More details on problems UralVagonZavod faced in the new economical reality of the Russian Federation in our story.
Ukrainian air defense shot down Ka-52 Alligator helicopter
Russian army has been considered one of the most powerful in the world not only because of its numbers but also quite potent technology. So was the Ka-52 "Alligator" helicopter, prized as a Russian air leader due to its good protection and powerful weapon system. Until recently, as we see those "birds" being shot one after another in Ukraine. Yet it is another significant victory for Ukrainian defenders fighting for their country.
This one could have been a commander's aircraft of Russian aviation. Not it is engraved on remarkable photos from the crash site.
The UK provided hundreds of armored vehicles to Ukraine and training for Ukrainian troops on how to use them
The Minister for the Armed Forces at the UK Ministry of Defense said Britain is sending various armored equipment to help Ukraine fight with Russia. The military aid list includes 40 highly mobile CVR(T) vehicles, 35 Spartan APCs, some Samaritan armored ambulances and Samson recovery vehicles as well as "about 80 of the Afghanistan-era protected mobility vehicles" – namely Mastiff, Wolfhound and Husky.
The official also mentioned "a few hundred" Ukrainian troops will receive training on how to use the machinery to their fullest.
Anticipating the delivery of these "presents" for the Ukrainian army, Defense Express has provided an overview of these British armored vehicles based on the article by Harry Adams, the Forces.net analyst.
Ukrainian defenders eliminate Russian columns
A few times this week Ukrainian army showed its skill in abrupting the enemy supplies and advance on Ukraine's territory. First, soldiers of the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade gave a devastating blow to the Russian invaders in the Donetsk region. A successful ambush caught the enemy by surprise. Disorganized, it became an easy target for the anti-tank weapons. Check out the drone footage of the battle that thwarted the Russian offensive.
Next, there is a high-precision strike from the artillerymen from the 81st Airmobile Brigade. "Surgical" accuracy of Ukrainian artillery left no chance to the occupiers.
And finally, an explosive finale of the Russian column, blown up together with a bridge. Special Operations Forces of Ukraine made a trap for a bunch of enemy armored vehicles including "Tigr", "Kamaz" and three "Urals" and blew them before they reinforced a battle unit in the Kharkiv region.
Defense Express analytics: Looming Battle of Donbas
Ukraine’s Armed Forces General Staff assesses that Russia is currently focused on preparing for an offensive operation in Eastern Ukraine. While the invaders are putting together an assault force on the Eastern front, they search for vulnerabilities in Ukrainian defenses and bolster their command-and-control and logistics.
Defense Express has analyzed all the major axis of the possible Russian advance. Spoiler: there are three most challenging for Ukraine directions.
Read more: Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant Shut Down Production - Defense Intelligence of Ukraine
