Chechen forces use old vehicles stuffed with explosives in Donetsk region

The UK Ministry of Defense reported the information on Twitter.

In June 2023, there were several reports of Russian troops using outdated armored vehicles filled with several tons of explosives as improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs). The crew most likely jumps out of the vehicle after setting its direction.

British intelligence believes that most of the Russian use of such vehicles has been recorded in the area of Marinka, near Donetsk, and began a few days after Chechen forces entered the area.

"There is a realistic possibility that Chechen forces are pioneering the tactic," the intelligence suggests.

The British Ministry of Defense reminds that Chechen fighters have a long history of inventive use of explosive devices dating back to the Chechen wars of the 1990s. It has also been reported that Chechens fighting on the side of Ukraine produced similar machines in January 2023.

"Most of Russia’s VBIEDs have almost certainly detonated before they reached their target through a combination of anti-tank mines and direct fire, bringing into question the viability of the capability. However, these VBIEDs cause extremely large explosions, which are still likely to have a psychological effect on defending forces," the report said.

• On July 13, the advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko, said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had attacked a Kadyrov barracks in the temporarily occupied Mariupol. The injured soldiers were allegedly secretly taken away in the direction of Donetsk.