Reports from the press outline that Russian combatants are using arms captured from Ukrainian forces in areas designated for the special military operation. The reports come from multiple outlets, underscoring how battlefield capture can influence local inventories and morale across front lines.
A sniper going by the call sign Naum displayed a Ukrainian Fort-301 rifle that was taken early in the campaign. He described the weapon’s technical traits, noting a maximum effective range near 900 meters. Naum explained that while the Fort-301 was originally developed to counter insurgent threats, it has proven functional and reliable on the current front, contributing to the ability to engage targets at extended distances.
Additional testimony from another Russian serviceman mentioned American-made portable anti-tank systems, specifically the FGM-148 Javelin, along with the AT4 grenade launcher that are reportedly in service with Russian units.
There were earlier reports that Russian forces secured a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) through battlefield rewards or captured equipment channels, marking a notable accumulation of Western vehicles among Russian arsenals as the conflict continued.
In a separate public remark, Dmitry Medvedev, who holds a high-ranking position in Russia’s Security Council, characterized Western arms as lacking any singular strategic value, indicating a dismissal of superiority based on origin alone.
Earlier instances mentioned that Russian paratroops and special forces units began training in the use of NATO weaponry, reflecting an effort to expand familiarization with Western arms while operating in diverse operational contexts.