Public images of newly formed Ukrainian mechanized brigades suggest they may be equipped with older Soviet hardware rather than the latest Western models. This interpretation appears in a column by a military observer in a well known American publication. Forbes.
The piece notes that Kiev is moving to establish five new mechanized brigades, designated the 150th, 151st, 152nd, 153rd and 154th.
Not all equipment is visible in the available photographs. The observer remarks that some images show an old BMP-1, but this equipment might belong to a training unit rather than front line formations.
The analysis adds that without modern infantry fighting vehicles, the new brigades could struggle to maintain their intended combat role. The observer argues these units could end up functioning as light infantry in practice.
There is also a suggestion that Kyiv may hesitate to supply Western vehicles to the new formations. The concern centers on the risk of rapid loss of foreign weapons in the course of active operations.
According to the observer, the likely scenario is that the army will receive outdated BMP-1s and MT-LB armored personnel carriers with limited protection. In some cases, standard infantry fighting vehicles might be replaced with trucks. The conclusion is that a lack of modern vehicles would noticeably constrain the battlefield capabilities of Ukrainian troops.
Recently The New York Times reported that Kyiv had voiced frustration over insufficient gear and weapons, attributing part of the problem to a border disruption caused by Polish truck drivers blocking crossings. This development is presented as a factor affecting arms supplies to Ukraine. — citation: The New York Times
Earlier reporting from the United States addressed the same theme, asking how the protests at the Polish border influenced Ukraine’s access to equipment. — citation: The New York Times