Ingenuity in Conflict: Unconventional Weapons of the Russo-Ukrainian War
The Russo-Ukrainian war has been a breeding ground for some of the most peculiar weapons we’ve seen in recent history, perhaps even ever. The conflict has given rise to a fascinating array of armaments, from the bizarre to the downright ingenious. This article will delve into the good, the bad, and the downright strange weapons seeing use in Ukraine.
Let’s start with the ‘Mad Max’ vehicles. Ever thought of strapping a helicopter rocket launcher to the back of a Mitsubishi truck? Well, Ukrainian fighters have. These weaponized civilian vehicles, reminiscent of the post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max, are a testament to the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the Ukrainian forces. If you see a Soviet-era Volga sedan mounted with a remote-controlled 14.5-millimeter heavy machine gun rampaging your way, you should definitely at least give it a shot.
But the oddities don’t stop at vehicles. Take the 1940 SVT-40 Soviet semi-automatic battle rifle, for instance. Don’t be fooled by its vintage look. This gun is far from being ready to be retired. It’s a testament to the enduring power of old technology, repurposed for the modern battlefield.
It’s a common misconception that the newest weapons are the best in modern warfare. Futuristic weapons sporting next-generation designs and big capability promises tend to attract the most public attention. But the war in Ukraine has proven that it’s the workhorses, the time-tested OGs, that actually get the job done. In Russia and Ukraine’s case, Soviet-era weapons have dominated the battlefield, primarily by virtue of their sheer availability and ease of use.
This doesn’t mean they aren’t good. Ukraine’s Soviet-era defenses like the S-300 and BUK M1, for example, seem to have done an excellent job blunting Russian firepower. The AK-74 and all its variants, such as the AK-74M, are excellent infantry firearms. Ukraine’s well-maintained and updated T-72 and T-64 tanks, designs now well over 50 years old, continue to hold their own against Russia’s newer iterations.
When upgraded with modern electronics and munitions, Soviet weapons can more than hold their own in the 21st century. This was the case with the Soviet KH-35 subsonic anti-ship missile that Ukraine overhauled into its R-360 Neptune and used it to sink the Moskva, a jewel of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, back in April 2022.
There are other examples of Soviet-era weapons being overhauled, upgraded, and flat-out MacGyvered into menacing new packages. Look no further than the trusty RPG-7, the famous Soviet shoulder-fired, muzzle-loaded rocket launcher that has seen service all over the world. RPGs were designed to penetrate tank armor, though their cheap, mass-produced warheads have been used against emplacements, buildings, helicopters, and human targets since the weapon’s introduction in 1961. With plenty of cheap RPG rounds at their disposal, Ukraine has adapted certain warheads for more effective anti-personnel use.
The Russo-Ukrainian war is a stark reminder that the tools of war are not always the most advanced or the most expensive. Sometimes, they are the most available, the most reliable, and the most adaptable. The conflict has shown us that innovation can come from necessity, and that sometimes, the most effective weapon is the one you already have.
