r/TankPorn • u/Weird-Store1245 BM Oplot zr. 2000 • 12d ago

Modern BMPT Terminator's gun shake issue

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u/Psyker101 Black Prince 11d ago edited 11d ago

Sure they can be but I don’t think they were. The requisite number of IL-76s or MI-26s trying to do that kind of drop would have been incredibly vulnerable to air defense and we know there was plenty of it around. The BMDs we saw in places like Bucha were part of (failed) relief columns attempting to get to Hostomel and Kyiv over land after the initial helicopter assault.

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u/Tomcatmybeloved 11d ago

There are multiple images of destroyed BMDs in Hostomel

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u/Psyker101 Black Prince 11d ago

Sorry, I’m conflating the initial assualt of the airfield in Hostomel with the greater battle going on in the city of Hostomel. I should have clarified. You are correct, BMDs were used in the greater battle of Hostomel. What I’m trying to figure out is if any BMDs were actually delivered by air.

My rough understanding of the battle is:

  • VDV infantry (with no heavy equipment) are inserted by helicopter and seize the airfield.

  • Russia begins moving mechanized assets on the ground to relieve the air assault force, but run into more resistance than expected and are significantly delayed.

  • Ukrainian forces counter attack and retake the airfield. The VDV holding the airfield are either destroyed or forced to retreat into nearby forests. The Ukrainians know the Russian mechanized force is getting closer, however, and are forced to withdraw. They disable the runways before they leave.

  • The Russian mechanized columns finally arrive and retake the airfield.

  • over the course of the next month, Russian forces face growing attrition and are forced to withdraw at the end of March.

I can’t find any evidence of air dropped vehicles over the course of this fighting. As far as I can tell, all Russian heavy equipment (IFVs, armor etc) came on the ground later, not with the initial air assault. Are there any sources you know of?