--- title: "\"Drove out on spares\": How Ukrainian armored vehicles \"Varta\" and \"Novator\" save lives on the front line" description: "πŸ›‘οΈ Ukrainian armored vehicles \"Varta\" and \"Novator\" have proven their reliability in the battles for Soledar and Chasiv Yar. Deputy Commander of the 41st Separate Mechanized Brigade Vyacheslav Grebennikov told how the armor saved his life during shelling and FPV strikes. The key advantage is repairability and the ability to drive on spare wheels. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦πŸšœ #Ukraine #ArmoredVehicles #Varta #Novator #41stSeparateMechanizedBrigade" date: 2026-08-07T14:56:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrainian-armored-cars-varta-novator-save-lives-frontline tags: [ukraine-war, military-vehicles, ukrainian-armor, varta, novator, 41-omb] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # "Drove out on spares": How Ukrainian armored vehicles "Varta" and "Novator" save lives on the front line ![Column of Ukrainian armored vehicles 'Varta' and 'Novator' moving along a forest road](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/07/ukrainian-armored-cars-varta-novator-save-lives-frontline/ukrainian-armored-cars-varta-novator-save-lives-frontline-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Armored vehicles "Varta" and "Novator" saved the life of Vyacheslav Grebennikov, Deputy Commander of the 41st Separate Mechanized Brigade. - The equipment withstood fire from heavy machine guns and FPV drone strikes in Soledar and Chasiv Yar. - The main advantage of the vehicles is high repairability and the availability of spare parts. - Damaged vehicles are capable of independently leaving the combat zone on spare wheels. 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. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Which models of armored vehicles are mentioned in the article? **A:** The article mentions "Varta" and "Novator" armored vehicles produced by the company "Ukrainian Armored Vehicles". ### Q: Where did the described incidents take place? **A:** The incidents took place in Soledar (shelling from heavy machine guns) and in Chasiv Yar (FPV drone strike). ### Q: Why are these vehicles considered effective? **A:** They possess high repairability, availability of spare parts, and the ability to withstand hits while retaining mobility.