Armored Vehicles on the Frontlines: An Unusual Journey from an English Farm to Ukraine
In the shadow of the conflict raging in Eastern Europe, a fascinating and somewhat surreal narrative unfolds. It’s the story of how an armored vehicle journeys from a tranquil farm in England across 2,000 miles to the front lines of the brutal battles between Ukraine and Russia. The tale begins with an unlikely protagonist named Nick Mead, an accidental arms dealer who has been populating his English farm with retired military vehicles for several decades.
From Fun to Fight: The Transition
Nick’s venture originally had an element of whimsy. His company provided people with the opportunity to drive tanks and other supply vehicles for film and TV purposes. From his farm, he supplied a military vehicle for almost any occasion, including a tank hearse which, when adorned with flowers, presented a unique sight. However, the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 led to a seismic shift in Nick’s operations.
His collection of armored personnel carriers (APCs), which were once used for fun, became a desperate necessity for forces in Ukraine. As a result, Nick found himself in an unexpected role — an arms dealer. While he expresses discomfort at the label, he rationalizes the shift as a means to help Ukraine, stating that 80% of his turnover is now from selling tanks to the country. From his farm alone, he has sold between 150 to 520 vehicles since the start of the conflict.
Demand for the Spartan
Among the vehicles in Nick’s inventory, the Spartan stands out for its popularity. The Spartan, a type of APC, is particularly desired by Ukrainian forces because it is light, quick, well-armored and importantly, their soldiers already have the know-how to drive and maintain them. The British government had donated Spartans to the Ukrainian war effort the previous year, so their familiarity was a key asset. These vehicles were pivotal in moving troops during offensives and evacuating the wounded.
Despite this, there is a bitter edge to this increased demand: soaring prices. Some accuse Nick of profiteering from the war, a criticism he acknowledges with regret. However, his main motivation, he asserts, is to aid Ukraine in its fight.
The Unscrupulous Side of Arms Dealing
The story takes a darker turn when Nick reveals that some arms dealers have exploited Ukraine’s desperation for profit. He points to a batch of snatch armored Land Rovers that were sold but have remained on his farm, supposedly to be resold at a higher price later. This is a stark contrast to Nick’s philosophy of “getting it out there quickly” as the Ukrainian forces need these vehicles immediately, not months down the line.
In response to this, Nick has chosen to only sell to trusted buyers like Slav, a Ukrainian who’s resided in the UK for over 20 years. Slav has been sourcing military equipment for friends back home since the invasion began, and recently purchased 25 APCs from Nick for the Ukrainian World Congress. This NGO has raised millions of pounds to buy equipment for Ukraine’s forces, which were primarily funded by everyday citizens striving to give the best chance for the Ukrainian nation to survive.
The Journey Across Europe
Once the deal was struck, Slav’s logo was stamped on the vehicles and the necessary paperwork to travel across Europe was put in order. Thus, the 2,000-mile journey of these APCs from an English farm to the Ukrainian front line commenced.
However, these APCs were just a drop in the ocean of the UK-Ukraine private arms deals, which had seen over 30 million pounds worth of military vehicles shipped from the UK in just six months in 2022. One of these
individuals involved in the acquisition of such equipment was Serie Pratula, a former Ukrainian TV star and politician, who bought over a hundred APCs from five different suppliers in the UK.
Role of Private Deals and Donations
Initially, the Ukrainian government struggled to equip its military adequately, with many new recruits relying on donations or buying equipment themselves. Even as billions of pounds of military aid poured in from the West, volunteer groups and private deals remained a vital resource for the war effort. There is still a dire need for donations as Ukraine faces a substantial enemy with vast reserves of APCs and tanks.
The Destination: The Front Line
Nick’s APCs, bought and shipped by Slav, finally arrived in Ukraine after eight weeks. Upon crossing the Polish border, they were dispatched to Kiev, where mechanics made them battle-ready. From Kiev, they were sent to an undisclosed location near the front line, where they were prepped for the battlefield.
However, despite the gratitude of soldiers for each arriving APC, they stressed the need for thousands more. While Russia replenished its forces with Cold War-era vehicles, Ukraine had no such reserves. The direct buying of vehicles from suppliers like Nick Mead served as a bypass to government bureaucracy, speeding up the deployment of these vehicles to the front-line units.
But the harsh reality of war quickly became evident when Slav received a video of an unmanned Spartan, allegedly one he bought from Nick, completely destroyed in a missile attack. This destruction led to increased demand for vehicles and more pressure on fundraisers like Slav to maintain the unrelenting flow of arms.
Conclusion
It’s a remarkable journey these APCs undertake, travelling from an English farm all the way to the battlegrounds in Ukraine. The odyssey of these armored vehicles illuminates the lesser-seen aspects of the war — the unexpected arms dealers, the humanitarian motivations, and the harsh realities of conflict. It underscores the dire need for resources and the relentless resilience of those supporting Ukraine in the face of daunting adversity.
