S O V A

Russian military analyst & OSINT collector. Russian security, intelligence, OC & politics watcher. Occasionally do visuals of (mostly prospective) Russian arms.

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

Possible look of TOS-2 - prospective thermobaric #MLRS on #Armata Unified Combat Platform
©https://t.co/XeAZd6VFQZ

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

A-545s being put through their paces in the Arctic by the #Rosgvardiya’s SOBR Rys
https://t.co/yCskI1TkP5

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

Latest iteration of the A-762. Obvs.changes: Muzzle break's been modified & rear drum-type sight has been replaced with a conventional one.

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

Seems that the Airborne Troops' 45th Independent Guards Spetsnaz Brigade is set to receive a batch of around 100+ A-545 (6P67) assault rifles by the end of 2020.
Sources: https://t.co/3zZQoVNur1
https://t.co/sIM0Xd6spS
Image: A-762 (6P68) ©ZiD.

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

@bneeditor FYI those are Rosgvardiya’s Dzerzhinsky Division troops on the photo

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

Some 8 yrs later the 47th Mixed Aviation Reg (OSAP) is re-deployed to Baltimor from Buturlinovka.
03 Red fitted w/ a centreline EO recon pod,apparently also holds fuel & developed within the Sych prog. 1st observed on the 47 OSAP 11 Red during #Zapad2021 https://t.co/v9n9BH629a

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

#Sukhoi transferred a 1st batch of Su-34 aircraft to the Russia MoD in 2018.
Aircraft took off from the Novosibirsk Aviation Plant V.P. Chkalov airport (Tolmachevo) & flew to the site of their deployment.
https://t.co/KTHeKQSl9x
File image from Dec 2017 of newly built 04 Red ©VVN

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

^ The same ‘Syrian’ 10 Red from 559 BAP with L-700-series ‘Tarantul’ (apparently aka as ‘pisyun’ amongst the VVS technicians, due to its phallic shape) 559 BAP has very experienced crews & is (I think) earmarked to receive Su-34Ms first
https://t.co/UCEAMhSoBz

[Rob Lee @RALee85]

I missed this but as @artjomh points out, one of the Su-34 (red 10) has a SAP-14 Tarantul EW system.

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

In anticipation of #Zapad2021 new mine laying hardware was employed at Mulino by the 1st Ind.Gds. Engineer Sapper Bde a few of days ago: ISDM Zemledeliye & reportedly UMZ-K Klesh-G -both on trial. All under the Gerasimov's watchful eye. Note Mi-8MTV-5-1 fitted w/ VSM-1 mine layer

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

76 GvDShD spetsnaz company practicing high altitude (6 km) insertions from an Il-76MD using Stayer parachute systems & Yunker-O kits.Note the LShZ 1 helmets & oxy bottle kits with a ‘foreign-made’ (in EU) part -Semperit hose.
Srcs:
https://t.co/iFBBN2H3oE
https://t.co/VNEEhpio30

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

76th Guards Air Assault Division(76 Gv DShD) in Pskov (ZVO) #VDV has received a battalion set of BMD-4M & BTR-MD (and some other assets).
Video: https://t.co/tlwb8VwJFp
Gallery: https://t.co/fH4UdMDyZ3

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

https://t.co/BgyeS2g63o
The 234th Guards Air Assault Regiment of the 76th Guards Air Assault Division in the WMD is to receive a battalion set of 40 BMD-4M and BTR-MDM Rakushka armoured vehicles on 18 June 2020. Apparently, eighth such set to be handed over to the VDV in total.

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

Tula: PRP-5; note a 9К135 Kornet ATGM system on the front SSO quad (usually w/ Fagot/Konkurs); Colonel General Dyumin (Tula governor; ex-SSO commander & ex-Putin’s bodyguard) w/ Col Tonkikh -106 Parachute Division commander on LHS.
MiG-31Ks (from 929 GLITs) before Moscow flyover

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

The Victory Parade 2021 rehearsal at Alabino: a Kurganets-25 w/ Epohka turret with engine access doors open.
Still from: https://t.co/olc54AOntz

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

TsNII Burevestnik hardware at the Nizhny Novgorod parade: KamAZ 43269 Vystrel w/ 30 mm BM-30D RCWS; 152 mm 2S43 Malva and 120 mm 2S40 Floks. None of those are yet in service.
Images via https://t.co/kB5erisiX5

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

Ex C-in-C of the Russian Navy admiral Korolyov on the RHS, nowadays Korolyov is the deputy head of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (OSK).
P.S. TVZvezda corroborates previous reports re; 40 Kalibr & 32 Oniks cruise missiles for 885M boats https://t.co/IUh5w4BRrl
#Yasen #SSGN

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

Voennaya Priemka on Pr.885M Yasen-M Kazan #SSGN
https://t.co/WTls0Xcdox

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

A few more images
Sources: https://t.co/yPXtVedzF3
https://t.co/uPTQhObGEn

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

A Russian with a REX-1 C-#UAV GNSS jammer, armed with a customised PKM (Zenitco rails & suppressor w/ mirage cover) & 6B47 helmet. RSOTM claims this a ChVK contractor but I am not convinced. REX-1 was 1st observed in use during the Vostok-2018 exercise
Src:https://t.co/ZsMU41rmMz

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

Syrian Arab Army Brigadier General Suheil al-Hassan with his
(probably) #GRU #spetsnaz security detail in Eastern Ghouta, #Syria earlier today.
Images via https://t.co/P2tw3R3jQk

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

#Spetsnaz-ovets in #Syria atop a Tigr-M, armed with a PKP-M (6P41M) with a mounted early iteration 1P87 sight. The PKP-M seems to be slowly proliferating. The Pecheneg-SP seems to be stuck.. A ZiD guy told me a while back,things are ‘bumpy’
Image via https://t.co/coW8tkB83M

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

Not impressed.
N.Fleet: 33 subs seems too high,23 fighter aircraft- ok if w/out MiG-31BMs- but think they should’ve been included.
Armed forces:1400 fighters-ridiculously high (even if they mean all tactical combat FW);400 combat RW- perhaps if only Mi-24/35M/28 & Ka-52- but why?

[Rob Lee @RALee85]

The Finnish Defense Forces released an intelligence review for 2021, including this infographic with the military forces in the Baltic and Nordic regions. They estimate that Russia has 900k active servicemen and a ~20 brigade strength in Western Russia.
https://t.co/MCozZtp18i

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

Some of those 64 MSBr T-80BVMs delivered last month in arctic livery, painted especially for the upcoming Victory Day parade in Khabarovsk. Earlier images show a white T-80BVM before it was fully painted
Src https://t.co/y7Pqxs3css

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

1st T-80BVM MBTs have been transferred to the Eastern MD. ‘A few tens’ have been delivered. most likely to the 64th MR Bde. In time for the 2021 Victory Day parade.
https://t.co/mlcGbRWCR4

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

Prospective VDV artillery vehs:
a) arty recon veh Gran (Obyekt 955 chassis) w/ phased array 3D radar (w/ c-arty capability?);
arty recon & fire-control veh Zavet-D beneath (Reostat successor)
AT system hosted on Obyekt 960M (array also for optional missile guidance as per 9M123?)

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

So it’s the Black Sea Fleet’s Project 304 ‘Amur’ floating workshop that’s docked in Port of Sudan. Photo taken on 2 May.
More images: https://t.co/L23geC6YX9

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

This a file photo of Adm Grigorovich frigate in Port of Sudan from February. The frigate transited Bosphorus towards the Med on the morning of May the 2nd

[Samuel Ramani @SamRamani2]

A Russian battleship has landed in Port Sudan.

This should splash cold water on speculation that #Sudan 🇸🇩 cancelled its basing deal with #Russia 🇷🇺

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

Naval #spetsnaz OSpNB PDSS or GU’s OMRP SpN operatives with ADS rifles and what are likely to be Amphora rebreathers
Image source: https://t.co/hy9YoSWmqN

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

A few recent & rare images of in-service ADS rifles in the hands of, either, OSpNB PDSS or GU’s OMRP SpN.The ADS was developed at TsKIB SOO (a KBP subsidiary) in 2000’s & uses a long-stroke gas piston system. It can fire both 5.45x39 & special underwater PSP rounds. Imgs©Krushick

[S O V A @Russian_Defence]

From division to brigade and back.. (unless the MoD changes its mind)

[Guy Plopsky @GuyPlopsky]

1/ Izvestia reports that the 20th Motor Rifle Brigade (based in Volgograd Oblast) will be reformed to form the 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division, which will be subordinate to the 8th Combined Arms Army (Southern MD).
https://t.co/DhD0cF8hbn