Better than Russian BTR-82: Talking with a Ukrainian BTR-4 mechanic
The focus talked with the mechanic-driving of one of the National Guard brigades to find out how the domestic combat vehicle manifests itself. The serviceman agreed to answer our questions on the conditions of anonymity for security reasons. He spoke about his first combat exit, the features of the BTR-4, as well as why it is better than the BTR-82. Before you start, a brief certificate of the machine.
BTR-4 Butsefal is a Ukrainian eight-wheeled armored personnel carrier, which was developed and produced in Kharkiv. Bucephalus was adopted in 2011. In 2012, another version of the BTR-4E was adopted. BTR-4 Main Characteristics: Tell yourself and your combat path. I have been a BTR-4 driver since 2019, I have been serving in NSU. At the beginning of a full -scale war I no longer served, but then I turned back.
In my opinion, it is better I will do what I know and I will be useful here, than somewhere . . . During this time I participated in the battles on the outskirts of Kharkiv. Storms near the Zolochiv community in the Kozachi Lopani, Dementiivka and more. Then there was Bakhmut, a robot. How did you become an BTR-4 operator, and what role do you play in the car? The role of "Mechans" in the BTR-4 is responsibility for the machine-stancing of the machine.
We have completely interchangeable crews, that is, as a "mechan" I have to know not only my tasks, but also to understand BM (combat module). Similarly, the scholarly operator must be able to drive the car. Charging and maintenance is carried out by the whole crew.
There is no one that has pierced the wheel and "mechan" makes it itself, or something with BM and the gunner there will be plowed there - all together! Tell us about your first battle exit on the BTR-4, and how did you remember? The first battle exit… Store the village where there were Pio ** Ri, we had 4 cars. Our task was to deliver infantry and fire support. On the approach to the village, the first car was blown up on a managed fugas, but all alive.
We continued to move, planted the infantry and covered them with fire from the car, but when we had already entered the village, the armored personnel was running out on a mini. Also, everyone was alive. When we had already ended, we had a team to take three hundred and leave. One of our brothers was seriously injured. So I had the first battle exit, it was scary, but we did our job. And do you have the story that is most remembered? Do not know.
The Russians in their propaganda rollers recognize that the BTR-4 is a really high quality machine that is better than the BTR-82. Could you give the main advantages of a Ukrainian armored personnel carrier? BTR-4 really better than BTR-82. First, he has better booking, the best combat module. Well, it is more comfortable, for example, in our car there are two air conditioners - one in the front of the car, the other - in the landing compartment.
And the gearbox on the BTR-4 is automatic, not manual, as on their car. There are also two pts on ours. Could you compare the BTR-3 with the BTR-4, or do you know the benefits of any? I cannot compare the BTR-3 with BTR-4. But what really is better in the BTR-3 is less weight. And if you say about the disadvantages of the BTR-4, what would you stand out? To the disadvantages, I would attribute to the wage to its wheelbase, which remained from the BTR-80.
For its weight of 24 tons with grates, sometimes it is difficult on the soil. Sometimes there are problems with the combat module, the gun is flowing. If the gunner is young and not experienced, then there may be trouble at the combat exit. It happened that they left and fired the whole BC, but it happened that 5-7 shots and everything-a wedge. Why is this happening? It's hard to say for sure. The sleeve stuck, the shells can be poorly installed in the crab.
It is difficult to charge it, one ammunition takes more than half an hour. But in general, I will not say that the car is bad, if you add still armor, it would be in general. You mentioned that if you add armor, it would be topa. How do you evaluate the BTR-4 security? Reservation in the car is good as a day of a armored personnel carrier. The 7. 62 mm machine gun holds, I know it in your experience. There were a hit with the RPG, also holds, but the cumulative stream flew into the salon.
Then the gunner sailed a little back, but everything is well with him. As practice has shown, it also holds an anti -tank past. When undermining the mini crews are alive, but can break the legs. The main thing is that there is an additional mine bottom, then everything will be good. The technical part is also interested. How do German engines in operation show themselves? Deutz engines show themselves very well that there are no complaints. Both in the cold and in the heat - everything works well.