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| List of Russia Weapons vs Ukraine Weapons from NATO |
UN figures say more than 4,000 civilians have died in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began. The militaries of Kiev and Moscow claim to have killed thousands, even tens of thousands of enemy troops, including generals. However, both claims are difficult to independently verify.
Surprisingly, advanced weapons were used in the war. The following is a list of advanced weapons that Russia has used:
1. Su-57 Stealth Fighter Jet
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov, for the first time, confirmed that this fifth-generation stealth fighter jet has been used many times by Moscow in military operations in Ukraine. Moscow media in May also reported the use of the fighter jet, but at that time there was no official confirmation from the Russian military.
2. Phosphorus Bomb
Phosphorus is a substance used by militaries around the world to cause smoke, intense lighting, and incendiary ammunition. It glows brightly when exposed to air and produces large amounts of smoke.
Phosphorus is used to mark enemy targets and produce a smokescreen to hide troop movements. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in March that phosphorus bombs were used by the Russian military, causing serious burns to targets.
3. Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile
The Kinzhal was the first hypersonic missile used by Russia in the war in Ukraine. Kinzhal, Russian for "dagger", was launched from the air, by a fighter aircraft that is believed to be a MiG-31. The hypersonic missile can travel at more than five times the speed of sound, or Mach 5.
According to the Russian military, the Kinzhal has a range of 2,000 kilometers. The length of the missile is 8 meters. The Russian military has confirmed the use of this advanced weapon in its war in Ukraine. The United States, as an ally of Ukraine, also confirmed the use of these weapons.
4. 9K720 Iskander Ballistic Missile
These short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) led the Russian offensive in Ukraine. The Iskander has the precision to hit targets 500 kilometers away. These missiles have destroyed homes, hospitals and schools in many Ukrainian cities. The Iskander is a versatile weapon available in various versions of bunker destroyers, smart submunitions, thermobaric and even EMP.
5. 'Vacuum' Bombs
Vacuum bombs or thermobaric bombs are one of the most brutal weapons of war. These bombs are filled with explosives and chemical mixtures, which cause a supersonic blast wave upon detonation. These waves can obliterate everything in their path.
These weapons are called vacuum bombs because their explosives suck oxygen from the surrounding air to produce a powerful explosion. Several videos have been posted by the Kiev military showing Russian thermobaric bombs destroying major structures in cities a few months ago.
6. Zadira Laser Weapon
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov also confirmed the use of a laser weapon called the Zadira in the war in Ukraine. Zadira is claimed to have been used to set fire to Ukrainian-operated drones. According to the Moscow military, Zadira is capable of burning enemy drones from a distance of 5 kilometers in 5 seconds.
Meanwhile, Ukraine provides resistance with advanced weapons supplied by NATO countries. Here's the list:
1. Turkey Bayraktar TB2 Drone
The Turkish-made Bayaraktar TB2 drone has been widely used by Ukraine. This is a drone that can be airborne for 27 hours. Experts call the drone a game changer because its role has troubled Moscow's military.
2. Next Generation Light Anti-Armour Weapon (NLAW) AS
NLAW is very effective in destroying enemy targets within a short distance. Weighing 12.5 kilograms, the NLAW is a portable, shoulder-launched system that can be used by a single operator. Its armor-piercing warhead can destroy a modern heavily-protected battle tank with a single shot, and the system is effective at distances between 20 and 800 meters.
3. US Stinger Missiles
Among the biggest reasons why Russia still lacks air superiority over the skies over Ukraine, is that these weapons systems are supplied by the West. This US-made Stinger missile has destroyed many Russian helicopters and has a range of up to 8 km.
4. British Starstreak Missiles
Britain said it had donated five air defense systems, including the Starstreak missile. Starstreak is designed to bring down low-flying aircraft at close range. This defense system ignores countermeasures such as flares used by many aircraft.
5. US and UK Supply Javelin Missiles
This anti-tank missile has also become one of the mainstay weapons of the Ukrainian army against the Russian invasion. This weapon is in demand by Kiev because it is easy to operate, and quite inconvenient for enemy troops.
6. US Harpoon Anti-ship Missiles
Ukrainian officials say the country's military has used US-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles. This missile is claimed to have destroyed a Moscow military tugboat in the Black Sea. The US has not confirmed the use of these advanced missiles in Ukraine, but did decide to send them to Kiev on the condition that they would not be used to attack Russian territory.