Battlefield engineers in the Ukraine-Russia war are competing to replenish stockpiles as aid from the United States runs out and either side fails to make a significant breakthrough.
Both sides have had to resort to improvising scraps with existing parts to create new vehicles dubbed "Frankentanks" in the ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian troops reportedly used a vehicle as a rocket launcher, firing off Soviet-designed 122 mm Grad rockets from a BMW 3 Series sedan on the side of a road.
One machine, called the "Terminator," was constructed from parts of a former Russian T-62 tank modified with the turret and 60 mm cannon of a BMP-2, along with an anti-drone cage made of poles and wire, The Telegraph reported.
Russians were spotted adding a UB-32 missile launcher, typically attached to the wings of helicopters and fighter jets, to the bed of a UAZ Patriot truck.
They also upgraded decadesold MTLBs into fighting vehicles. One was fitted with a helicopter rocket pad and an 80 mm mortar. Another with a naval gun turret containing a twin 25 mm cannon on the rear hull. They even attached a civilian bucket-crane to give the anti-tank guided missile operator a clear line of sight over trees.
President Biden failed to get funding for Ukraine aid before the start of the new year.
The $110 billion aid bill was stalled earlier this month after both sides of the aisle failed to reach an agreement about Ukraine and border security in the United States.
Caleb Parke ✉
Caleb Parke has over a decade of journalism experience and serves as a correspondent for Newsmax. He is the recipient of a regional Edward R. Murrow Award.
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