Russia has likely deployed its only operational BMP-T “Terminator” tank support vehicle unit in its Donbas offensive against Ukraine, the UK Ministry of Defence stated.
The unit of 10 vehicles is part of the “Sievierodonetsk axis of the Donbas offensive,” the UK Defence Intelligence stated on Sunday, adding that the limited number of vehicles is likely to have “no significant impact” on the Donbas campaign.
Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 22 May 2022
Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/GGC8C7MQ1u
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/Ntuj5gasql
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) May 22, 2022
Sievierodonetsk is in Luhansk Oblast. With Donetsk Oblast, it forms the larger Donbas region abutting Russia.
Russian forces have captured a large chunk of the Donbas region, with only its central west still under Ukraine’s control.
Since Tuesday, Russian forces have intensified their operation in Luhansk, sending out thousands of troops to capture the last remaining areas of Sievierodonetsk on the east bank of the Siverskyi Donets river and Lysychansk on the west bank.
Too early to conclude that Ukraine already has all the arms it needs. Russian offensive in the Donbas is a ruthless battle, the largest one on European soil since WWII. I urge partners to speed up deliveries of weapons and ammunition, especially MLRS, long-range artillery, APCs.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) May 24, 2022
Defence Intelligence said that Russia’s Central Grouping of Forces (CGF) is likely to have been involved in the offensive, as it’s the only formation operating the Terminator.
The CGF was involved in the Kyiv offensive early in the war, failing to break through the capital’s eastern defenses while suffering heavy casualties, the Defence Intelligence added.
Russia inducted its first batch of Terminators in December after a year of trials.
The vehicle is an upgraded version of the BMPT tank support combat vehicle developed by UralVagonZavod Corporation.
The Terminator is equipped with the Ataka supersonic anti-tank missile system — capable of striking targets at up to 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) — two 30mm guns for infantry forces and helicopters, two grenade launchers, and a Kalashnikov submachine gun.
It has a top speed of 60 kilometers (37 miles) per hour.”
