Russia is developing more lethal ammunition based on its study of all NATO-made “war trophies” it collected in Ukraine, according to Russian state-owned TASS News Agency. The country’s defense conglomerate Rostec has begun upgrading tank shells by reverse-engineering NATO assets seized in the conflict. Company official Bekhan Ozdoev noted that new ammunition with improved characteristics is being created, taking into account feedback from Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
In June 2023, Moscow announced the capture of German Leopard tanks and US-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles in the Zaporizhzhya region, with footage showing Russian troops inspecting the seized Western equipment. A German lawmaker warned earlier this year that the Ukrainian military was at risk of losing all of its Leopard 2 main battle tanks, as many have been destroyed, captured, or rendered inoperable.
Despite a Russian official’s claim that their engineers found seized Western vehicles, especially Bradleys, to be inferior to Russian counterparts in terms of firepower, mobility, maintenance, and ease of use, Rostec continues to develop improved defense technology from these assets. Efforts of Western nations to enhance tanks for Ukraine are believed to be counteracted by Russia’s ongoing advancements in weaponry.
