"Drove out on spares": How Ukrainian armored vehicles "Varta" and "Novator" save lives on the front line

In the conditions of modern warfare, where the survivability of equipment and crews plays a key role, Ukrainian engineers and military personnel have proven the effectiveness of domestic solutions. Vyacheslav Grebennikov, Deputy Commander of the 41st Separate Mechanized Brigade, shared his personal experience, which confirms the reliability of Ukrainian armored capsules. According to him, armored vehicles produced by the company "Ukrainian Armored Vehicles" saved his life twice in the hottest spots of the conflict.

Real combat experience: Soledar and Chasiv Yar

Vyacheslav Grebennikov describes specific incidents where the armor withstood critical hits. During the battles for Soledar, the "Varta" armored vehicle withstood intense fire from heavy machine guns. Later, in Chasiv Yar, the "Novator" armored vehicle took a hit from an FPV kamikaze drone while the soldier was inside. In both cases, despite the damage, the vehicles retained their mobility and were able to drive out from under fire on "spares" (spare wheels), which allowed for the evacuation of the crew and the preservation of the equipment.

Design advantages and repairability

One of the key factors in the success of these vehicles is their structural simplicity and versatility. "Novator" armored vehicles are based on Ford chassis, making them relatively light and maneuverable. However, the main advantage, according to the military, lies in high repairability. Thanks to the availability of components, soldiers can eliminate most malfunctions and damage directly in the field, without waiting for evacuation to rear bases. This allows for the rapid return of equipment to service.

Contradictory data

Although Vyacheslav Grebennikov's experience is a vivid confirmation of the reliability of the equipment, there are various assessments in open sources regarding the level of protection of armored capsules based on civilian chassis. On the one hand, the military confirm that the vehicles withstand FPV strikes and machine gun fire. On the other hand, experts note that the level of protection of such vehicles may vary depending on the specific modification of the armor and the angle of impact of the projectile, which requires constant improvement of designs.

Strategic importance of domestic production

The successful application of "Varta" and "Novator" armored vehicles demonstrates the importance of developing its own defense industry. The ability to quickly produce, maintain, and upgrade equipment on site allows the Ukrainian army to maintain a high density of armored vehicles on the front, despite losses. As Grebennikov notes, these vehicles have repeatedly proven their durability, saving the lives of defenders and fulfilling combat tasks in the most difficult conditions.