Russia faces critical shortage of key weapon
Russia is experiencing a critical shortage of one of its primary weapons, according to recent data on the losses suffered by its military. The figures highlight a significant decrease in the number of Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) available to Russian forces.
In a startling development, no Russian MLRS units have been lost since the beginning of December, with the last recorded destruction occurring on November 29. This data, as noted by Ukrainian military expert Alexander Kovalenko, points to severe logistical issues in the Russian army’s equipment supply.
Kovalenko emphasizes that in recent months, Russia has been grappling with the depletion of its Soviet-era equipment reserves, including the MLRS. The production of new equipment remains at a very low level, and restoring old equipment fails to cover battlefield losses. The critical shortage has forced occupying forces to resort to makeshift "production" methods, combining naval rocket launchers like the "RBU-1200" and "RBU-6000" with chassis from MT-LB, BMP-1, T-72, T-80, Ural-4320, and even the mount of an anti-aircraft gun "ZU-23-2."
The expert points out that the declining number of destroyed equipment on the battlefield is not due to improved tactics or the resilience of Russian units, but simply because there is less equipment available. "No, I am not saying the occupiers have run out of MLRS," he adds, "but this is the most glaring category indicating that a similar shortage will affect a larger portion of Russia’s armaments in the future."
Examples of these improvised productions within the Russian military include the use of "RBU-1200" and "RBU-6000" naval rocket launchers on "Ural-4320" trucks or tanks. This improvisation underscores the inability to supply standard equipment configurations to units.
According to Kovalenko, this situation foreshadows significant changes on the battlefield. The Russian army will be unable to replenish its equipment losses, which will gradually diminish its combat capabilities. "Losses will decrease not because they have become craftier or more resilient, but because there will simply be less and less equipment," he notes.