Ukraine’s armed forces are being forced to rely on British-made Snatch armored vehicles despite their weak protection, as shortages of better equipment and mounting mobility problems leave units with limited options. Military expert and retired Captain 1st Rank Vasily Dandykin gave this assessment in comments to Lenta.ru.
His remarks followed reports that Russian forces had destroyed a British Snatch armored vehicle in the special military operation zone.
The vehicle has long carried a poor reputation. Concerns over its reliability earned the Snatch the nickname «mobile coffins.» In 2008, dissatisfaction with the vehicle became one of the reasons behind the resignation of British special forces commander Sebastian Morley. Despite criticism from servicemen, the British military continued using the Snatch.
Dandykin said the British vehicle provides significantly less protection than American Stryker and Bradley armored vehicles. In his assessment, the US-made platforms are considerably harder to knock out and are designed to offer their crews a higher level of protection.
The expert also pointed out that vehicles of this type are far from unusual in Ukrainian service. Alongside British equipment, Ukrainian forces also operate Canadian Senator armored vehicles.
Dandykin attributed the presence of lightly protected vehicles on the battlefield to Ukraine’s limited supply of suitable equipment. He said Ukrainian troops are having to use almost any vehicle available as movement along the front becomes increasingly difficult. In some cases, units are even trying to improve the protection of civilian vehicles by fitting them with additional armor.