Babchenko recounts the hazing, poor training, and hopeless situation of the Russian draftee deployed to Chechnya, and the moral trouble and “gunpowder disease” (read: addiction to combat) of the redeployed volunteer. While occasionally a little too purple in prose, it captures the desperate position of the guerrillas well.Ī personal account from the other side: a Russian conscript, but then, curiously, a volunteer. This is a personal account of a Chechen fighter and spy during the 1990s. The opening paragraphs of this article, written in 1995, are eerily accurate for the future Cuny would never see. While he was with the rebels, Russian double agents passed along false information that he was a Russian spy, resulting in his execution. This is an excellent article by an embedded American journalist-one who paid the ultimate price for his bravery in reporting. The MP-155 Ultima is projected to cost 100,000 rubles, or $1,348.The Lost American: Killing Chechnya by Fred Cuny According to the company, the gun is meant for users “born with gadgets and cannot imagine themselves without them.” It’s an interesting description for a semi-automatic, 12-gauge shotgun with embedded electronic capabilities that could include a compass, video camera and computerized firing instructions. Most famous for the AK-47 automatic assault rifle carried by nearly every bad guy in 1980s action movies, Kalashnikov is looking to expand their reach with a self-described gadget gun for hipsters. Previous versions could withstand 7.62 mm rifle rounds, and contained a thermal night vision monocle, integrated communication systems and a self-contained heater.Īlso coming out this week was news from Russian arms maker Kalashnikov. While most defense authorities are giving the announcement an exaggerated eye roll, the suit is part of a collection of gear that has reportedly been in development for more than a decade. Just as important as its strength, the armor will also reportedly not restrict movement, and will allow users to comfortably handle the extra weight associated with tactical military gear. However, Rostec is saying that their fourth-generation Sotnik, or 'Centurion,' battle armor will be ready for the task thanks to a lightweight polyethylene fiber and armor plating that is engineered to withstand a direct shot. The rounds measure about five inches long, and are the one thing most high-end bulletproof armor still can’t stop.

Just to offer some perspective, these rounds are typically fired by an M2 automatic machine gun this is tripod- or vehicle-mounted. They’re reportedly building a combat suit capable stopping. The first is from state-owned military supplier Rostec. You’re really not sure if he’s as tough as he looks or as crazy as he sounds, but either way, you make sure to keep an eye on him.Īfter hearing a couple of recent news stories funneling out of Moscow, I think you’ll get my point. Sometimes, the Russian military reminds me of that oddball uncle who comes to the kid’s birthday party wearing camo pants, boots and a cutoff vest with military patches.

Russian centurion armor