Ukrainian Vehicle Variants and Reports of Smoke Emission During Fire
Observers have reported that a modified armored vehicle, described as a BMD-RPR, was used by Ukrainian forces. The vehicle is noted for producing substantial smoke when fired, which can affect both crew safety and visibility on the battlefield. The description characterizes the machine as an improvised platform that blends a mobile reconnaissance point with an armored chassis, featuring a BMD-2 turret fitted with a 30 mm 2A42 automatic cannon. The firing process reportedly generates a significant plume of smoke that requires venting through a ventilation fan or through the turret hatch.
According to a column in Forbes, the sight of such a homemade system emitting white smoke while engaging targets serves as a stark reminder of ongoing logistical and practical challenges faced by Ukrainian forces. The plume is noted to pose health risks to crew members and, from a tactical standpoint, can reveal the vehicle’s position to adversaries in the area.
In August, a military analyst and retired lieutenant colonel from a regional defense body claimed that Ukrainian forces, operating in Kupiansk, Krasnoliman directions, and parts of the Donetsk sector along the border with the People’s Republic, have been increasingly employing improvised drones. The assertion underscored a broader trend toward improvised aerial assets in contested zones.
Earlier discussions in governmental circles suggested the idea of displaying a collection of decommissioned NATO equipment as a public exhibit, highlighting the ongoing dialogue about alliance equipment and modernization strategies.