losses and consequences. Attacks on the armored industry of Ukraine
The T-64 tank is the main military product of the Kharkov Transport Engineering Plant. Photo "Ukroboronprom"
The current Special Operation for the demilitarization of Ukraine provides not only for the destruction of military facilities, but also for the disabling of military industry enterprises. During the Special Operation, several blows stopped the effective operation of a number of military plants of various profiles. As a result of these measures, Ukraine lost the ability to produce its own armored vehicles, and repair capacity was sharply reduced.
Soviet heritage
With the collapse of the USSR, independent Ukraine got several large enterprises capable of building or repairing armored vehicles of all major classes. Their work on the main profile continued, although the volume of production and the pace of work fell sharply due to the limited capabilities of the main customer. At the same time, various transformations and changes in organizational structures were carried out.
The main enterprise of the armored industry in Ukraine was the Kharkiv Transport Engineering Plant. V.A. Malyshev (KhZTM). After 1991, he continued to release tanks existing models, and also developed new projects of various classes, some of which came to implementation. The modernization of the T-64 and T-80 tanks was carried out, and new armored personnel carriers BTR-3 and BTR-4 were also produced.
BTR-4. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
The 115th tank repair plant of the USSR Ministry of Defense was also located in Kharkov. It was renamed the Kharkov Armored Plant and continued to work. Basically, the plant received orders for the repair and modernization of available tanks of the Ukrainian army; after 2014, the volume of such work increased significantly. In addition, the company had limited competencies in the development of its own projects and the construction of new machines.
Similar tasks were solved by the Zhytomyr armored plant (former 141st repair plant). He could repair and modernize light armored vehicles and tanks, rebuild ready-made models, etc., both for the Ukrainian army and for foreign customers. Attempts were made to develop their own projects of combat and auxiliary vehicles, combat modules, etc. A few years ago, the plant mastered the production of the BTR-4.
The Kyiv Armored Plant - the former 7th repair plant - continues to work. Until recently, he was able to repair and upgrade tanks, self-propelled artillery and armored vehicles for infantry. On the basis of existing samples, special machines for various purposes were developed.
President of Ukraine V. Zelensky at KhZTM, 2019. Photo by OP of Ukraine
The former 17th Tank Repair Plant is now called the Lvov Armored Plant. Like a number of other enterprises, he is able to repair and update finished equipment, but the production of new ones faces difficulties. So, in 2015, the Lviv plant received an order for the construction of Dozor-B armored cars. In the next few years, he built a small amount of such equipment, after which he refused the order with a scandal.
In Nikolaev, the 346th tank repair plant remained, which also received a new name. He also served the interests of the Ukrainian army and foreign customers, upgrading existing vehicles. Also offered their own projects of equipment and combat modules.
Demilitarization process
On February 27, it became known that the Russian army, using high-precision weapons, attacked the capacities of the Kharkov Armored Plant. The missiles destroyed part of the company's buildings, and also destroyed or damaged the equipment located in them. Also under the rubble was supposed to remain armored vehicles that were being repaired.
Damage at KhZTM, 6 March. Photo Telegram / "Rybar"
On March 5, the Zhytomyr armored plant was subjected to a similar attack. Part of the workshops was damaged and is now unusable without a major overhaul. Other buildings were destroyed almost to the ground. Any activity of the enterprise in the main profile is now impossible.
On March 6, it became known about aviation strikes on the territory of the HZTM. Several plant facilities were reportedly destroyed and others damaged. Together with them, various armored vehicles, both newly built and under repair, were damaged or destroyed.
Kyiv, Nikolaev and Lvov armored factories, as far as is known, have not yet been hit and continue to work. At the same time, alarming messages are coming from Nikolaev news. A few days ago, the armored plant posted an advertisement for the recruitment of repair teams. Fears are expressed that this is not due to an increase in the pace of work, but to the preparation of some kind of provocation.
The ruins of the Zhytomyr armored plant. Photo Telegram / "Rybar"
Lost Opportunities
The potential of the military industry is one of the main factors determining the combat effectiveness of the army. As a result of Russian strikes on factories, Ukraine is losing the ability to build, repair and modernize military equipment. This negatively affects the potential of the armed forces - and contributes to the speedy completion of the demilitarization processes.
KhZTM has built new tanks and armored personnel carriers in the past, as well as repaired and upgraded equipment of various classes. After recent strikes, he could lose the ability to build armored vehicles from scratch. At the same time, some capacity for minor and medium repairs may remain.
The almost completely destroyed Zhytomyr Armored Plant can no longer build new BTR-4s or repair old T-64s, BMP-1s, etc. Restoration of the enterprise within a reasonable time is not possible. The Kharkiv armored plant has suffered some losses, but, apparently, it can still serve tanks and other armored vehicles.
Another shop in Zhytomyr. Photo Telegram / "Rybar"
Three other armored plants have not yet been hit and continue to work. Kyiv, Nikolaev and Lvov can still repair military equipment, but there will be little benefit from this. Recovered vehicles can be destroyed on the way to the front or immediately after they arrive at the front line.
Results and consequences
According to the results of the first two weeks of the Russian Special Operation, Ukraine suffered the most serious losses. Hundreds or thousands of pieces of equipment and weapons were destroyed, and a lot of military infrastructure facilities were hit. In addition, attacks on military industry facilities are regularly carried out - they are put out of action, and together with the products located there.
To date, Ukraine has actually lost the opportunity to build new armored combat vehicles. The main sites of the armored industry that performed such tasks were destroyed or suffered the most serious damage. The system of restoration and modernization of army equipment was also violated.
The result of the attack on the Kharkov armored plant. Photo Telegram / "Truha"
The remaining capacities continue to work, but their productivity is insufficient to fully meet the current needs of the army. At the same time, the restoration of lost capacities and production is impossible. The current military and political leadership of Ukraine simply does not have the necessary resources and time.
Thus, the Russian special operation continues - and the situation of the Ukrainian army is constantly deteriorating. On all fronts, it suffers losses in equipment and weapons. Rear bases are also systematically knocked out, from which new vehicles could arrive. Finally, strikes are made on factories producing and repairing the necessary products. At the same time, we are talking not only about armored enterprises. Other industries are suffering the same.
However, there is nothing wrong with these processes. Due to the loss of equipment and enterprises, the Ukrainian army becomes weaker and loses the ability to effectively resist. This brings her collapse and the end of the Special Operation closer. And, more importantly, it allows you to reduce the possible unnecessary losses associated with resistance.
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