Click to see full-size image. (Via Telegram)
The Russian military has captured an American-made M88A1 Recovery Vehicle from Kiev forces in the Donetsk direction.
Photos of the captured vehicles were posted to social networks on April 25. The vehicle was reportedly captured near the settlement of Stepovo, to the northwest of the city of Avdeevka, then pulled back to the rear by units from the Tsentr Group of Forces.
Click to see full-size image. (Via Telegram)
The M88A1 was designed around the now obsolete M60 Patton main battle tank. Its primary role is to repair or replace damaged parts in fighting vehicles while under fire, as well as extricate vehicles that have become bogged down or entangled.
The medium recovery vehicle, which weights 50,8 tone, has 432 mm ground clearance, 2.6 meter fording depth, 1.1 meter wall climb and 2.6 meters trench crossing capabilities. It is powered by an AVDS-1790-2DR V12, air-cooled Twin-turbo diesel engine and equipped with a winch and a spade. The vehicle is also armed with an M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun with 1,300 rounds for self protection.
Click to see full-size image. (Via Telegram)
Kiev forces received at least eight M88A1 vehicles from the United States last year. Most of them have already been destroyed or damaged by the Russian military.
The U.S. and other allies of Ukraine have been struggling to supply Kiev forces with engineering vehicles for the recovery of damaged vehicles as well as to clear obstacles and minefields. The shortage and misuse of such vehicles contributed to the failure of the Ukrainian spring counteroffensive.
The M88A1 captured by the Russian military will likely end up on display at the Kubinka tank museum near the capital, Moscow, or some other military museum.
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