The Three weapons that changed the course of the Russian war on Ukraine

Since the beginning of the Russian special operation in Ukraine last year, Western countries have begun to send weapons to Kiev in order to help its defense efforts.

The Russian leadership faced wrong calculations, as they were expecting a quick victory over Kiev, however the Ukrainian forces managed to stand and were able to repel Russian attacks. Moreover regaining lands.

In addition to the high morale of the Ukrainian forces, Western weapons have played a decisive role on the battlefield, which had the ability to change the course of the war.

There are 3 weapons that were most decisive rule in the war so far.

The Javelin missiles

In the early stages of the war, the Russian forces aspired for their armored vehicles to penetrate into the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, within a few days, but the use of Javelin anti-armored vehicle missile systems thwarted these ambitions.

What distinguishes these missiles is that they are easy to use, as the gunner has only to point at the target, and then fire the missile that hits its target with ease, not to mention that its cost is considered low, which means that Western countries will easily provide it.

The Javelin missiles system was able, especially during the first days of the war, to constitute an obstacle in front of the Russian forces, if the gunners could launch it from a building or behind a tree.

The Javelin missile is a US made that entered service in 1996.

It weighs all together with the launch unit 22.3 kg, while the launch unit alone weighs 6.4 kg.

Its effective launch range ranges from 75 to 2500 meters, and the maximum launch range is 4750 meters.

The Javelin missiles can target any type of vehicle, but they are stronger against tanks, because they can strike from above, which is why they are called spears because the way they are launched is like throwing a spear that falls to the ground at a very steep angle, not to mention that low-flying helicopters can be targeted.

These missiles are easy to use day and night, and the launch process isn’t accompanied by much debris or smoke, which makes it difficult for the enemy to know where to launch.

The Himars missiles system

The second weapon that changed the balance of power in the war was the highly responsive Himars system.

It’s a highly mobile artillery system, which is a multiple rocket launcher mounted on light armor, and it fires guided missiles using a geographical positioning system, with a range of about 80 km.

This 5-ton launcher can fire six missiles at the same time, and its location can be changed quickly and easily to avoid counter-strikes.

The Himars, operated by only three personnel, offers a unique combination of range, accuracy and mobility that allows troops to hit the target in record time and move away.

Russian artillery, like most similar systems since World War I, lacks precision, and Himars missiles in Ukraine hit hundreds of Russian targets, including command posts, ammunition depots, refueling stations and bridges, choking off supplies for front-line units.

Ukrainian commanders estimate that the Himars system is responsible for 70% of the military advances on the Kherson front, said the unit’s commander, Lieutenant Valentin Koval.

He said four vehicles in his unit had killed hundreds of Russians and destroyed about 20 anti-aircraft batteries.

The Bayraktar drones

The third weapon is the Turkish made Bayraktar TB2 drones, as they have proven effective in hitting targets, and what distinguishes them is that they can be assembled from ready-made parts.

These drones can film the attacks they carry out, as video have shown that they are capable of destroying armored vehicles and even artillery, not to mention targeting Russian supply lines.

These Turkish made drones saved the lives of the Ukrainian pilots, who would have risked their lives in order to destroy the targets of the Russian forces.

Bayraktar drones are lightweight and about seven times smaller than the US Reaper drone, with a wingspan of 12 meters, which allows them to stay in the sky for up to 30 hours per flight.

Videos recorded by some Ukrainian soldiers and citizens, have circulated on social media, documenting the concentrated strikes of the Ukrainian forces against the Russian forces.

Each of them can carry up to four laser-guided missiles, according to promotional materials from the company that produces them.