Ukraine previously possessed 185 missiles and 50 launchers for the Elbrus OTRK, along with the An-2 used as a kamikaze drone and other weekly updates.

We invite you to explore our overview of the week's events and materials, summarized for you in this article.

OTRK "Elbrus"

It is commonly mentioned that in 1999 Ukraine transferred to Russia eight Tu-160, three Tu-95MS, and 575 X-55 missiles as payment for gas debt, highlighting our lost potential that is now being utilized by the enemy.

We previously wrote about why Ukraine had to give up the Tu-160. Now, we want to recall another story – how until 2011 our country decommissioned and disposed of the OTRK "Elbrus", also known as "Skad", which had a stockpile of 185 missiles and 50 launchers.

T-80 and BMP-3

The South Korean army has begun using its T-80 and BMP-3 vehicles, received from Russia in the 1990s, as targets on firing ranges to test their kamikaze drones. Relevant photos were initially circulated by South Korean media and later appeared on our social networks.

In the footage, we can see that for these tests, the South Korean military utilized at least two T-80 tanks and one BMP-3. At first glance, this seems to be a clear indication that South Korea does not intend to transfer this armored equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We explain how to interpret the fact that South Korea has started using its T-80 and BMP-3 as targets for UAVs instead of donating them to the Armed Forces.

South Korea

The visit of the Ukrainian delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, to South Korea likely concluded without any positive outcomes regarding the procurement of South Korean weapons. Notably, there was no request for assistance. Ukraine arrived to purchase but still received a refusal.

During meetings, including with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, the Ukrainian delegation raised the issue of purchasing, primarily the KM-SAM air defense system (also known as Cheongung). They also inquired about radar systems for missile defense and counter-battery radars.

An-2

On the night of November 26, 2024, the air defense units of the Russians spotted an unidentified aircraft above the "Gazprom Neftchem Salavat" oil refinery, located 1,400 kilometers from the state border of Ukraine, and opened fire.

The Russians thought they were shooting at a kamikaze drone, but it turned out to be a civilian An-2, whose crew was somehow unaware that flights over the refinery were prohibited. The aircraft was on a flight route from "Ufa-Salavat-Ufa", and despite sustaining damage, it managed to land at Ufa airport. We explain how the Russians inadvertently suggested the idea of using kamikaze UAVs based on the An-2 for strikes on the refinery.