The 23rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has unveiled footage of its combat training, featuring the Shturm-S self-propelled anti-tank missile system mounted on the MT-LB chassis. This marks the first documented use of the Shturm-S system in Ukrainian service, raising questions about its origin. According to Oryx, Ukrainian forces may have captured up to 18 units of this Soviet-era system since the start of the full-scale war.
Originally designed to deploy the 9M114 Kokon anti-tank missiles with a range of 5 kilometers, the Shturm-S system has undergone significant upgrades by Ukrainian specialists. These enhancements point to the Shturm-SM system, a modernized version announced by the Ministry of Defense earlier this year.
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The upgraded system now boasts compatibility with advanced RK-2P guided missiles, developed by the Luch Design Bureau, and features a cutting-edge electro-optical station designed by the Izyum Instrument-Making Plant. These improvements extend its operational range to 6–7 kilometers, significantly enhancing its battlefield effectiveness.
The Shturm-SM modernization project, initiated before russia’s full-scale invasion, was first showcased in 2021 at the Arms and Security exhibition. Its deployment underscores Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to adapt and upgrade its arsenal, leveraging both captured equipment and domestic innovation to strengthen its defense capabilities.
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