North Macedonia handed over to Ukraine T-72 tanks previously supplied by Russia
North Macedonia has handed over to Ukraine T-72 tanks supplied by Russia in 2000 during the conflict with Albanian separatists. A convoy of vehicles is already on its way to Ukraine.
The Ministry of Defense of Northern Macedonia has confirmed the transfer of T-72 "third generation" tanks to Ukraine. In total, there were 31 T-72s on the balance of the Macedonian military, which were transferred to the country as part of Russia's assistance in 2000 during the conflict with Albanian separatists.
The Serbian TV and radio channel RTS reports that the Ministry of Defense of Northern Macedonia confirmed the authenticity of the footage of the movement of equipment that appeared on social networks, noting that a convoy of T-72 tanks is moving in the direction of Ukraine. The Defense ministry noted that we are talking about "third generation" tanks, consisting of a unit that will soon be disbanded. Initially, these tanks were planned to be disposed of, but they found a more practical application. The agency does not specify how many pieces of equipment were transferred to the Ukrainian side.
"Steps will be taken to create modern and modernized weapons and capacities of the country's armed forces, taking into account this situation, as well as the needs of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the government has decided to donate a certain number of armored vehicles necessary for its needs," the ministry stressed.
On July 26, it also became known that the German Defense Ministry supplied Ukraine with the Mars-II MLRS and anti-aircraft tanks of the "Cheetah" type (anti-aircraft self-propelled gun).
What will Macedonia have left
Earlier, the authorities of the Balkan country said they hoped that NATO partners would reimburse Skopje for the transfer of the T-72 to Kiev and supply NATO-style equipment. They were considering deliveries of either German Leopards or American Abrams. Nevertheless, there are no agreements on the supply of this equipment to Northern Macedonia.
Thus, if the T-72 has already been transferred, and German or American tanks have not been delivered, the Macedonian army now remains either without tanks at all, or with fewer. In 2004, the authorities began recycling Soviet T-55 tanks. On the video with a column of equipment distributed in social networks, about 10 units of tanks appear.
Soviet armament of Ukraine
The technical basis of the Ukrainian ground forces and air forces are modernized Soviet models. In particular, the T-84 (modernization of the Soviet T-80), T-72 AMT/AV/A/B1 (modernization of the Soviet T-72) and T-72M1 tanks, transferred by Poland and the Czech Republic (about 240 units), are in service. The tanks are also represented by the T-64BM Bulat and T-64 BV models (modernization of the Soviet T-64). There is also a BM Oplot tank based on the T-80 in service, but the contract for the manufacture of 100 combat vehicles was not fulfilled until 2018.
Infantry fighting vehicles are represented by Soviet BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-3, BRM-1K, BMD-1P, BMD-2, as well as upgraded models from the Warsaw Pact countries.
Armored personnel carriers and armored vehicles are represented by both Soviet, Ukrainian and imported models. The Soviet legacy consists of BTR-60, BTR-70 (and Ukrainian modernization of BTR-70M), BTR-80, BRDM-2 (and Ukrainian modernization of BRDM-2T, BRDM-2L1), BTR-D, MTLB, MTLB-U. Own production is represented by BTR-4E, BTR-3E1, BTR-7 "Defender". Combat armored vehicles are represented by the models "Novator", "Varta", Kozak-2 and 2M. British armored personnel carriers AT105, FV103 Spartan, Mastiff, Wolfhound, Husky, Saxon, Australian Bushmaster, Swiss Piranha III and Mowag Duro 3, American M113 and HMMWV of various modifications got from Western partners.
Ukraine also uses Soviet Tochka-U tactical missile systems. MLRS are represented by Soviet "Hurricanes" and "Grads" of various modifications, American M142 "HIMARS", M270 MLRS, Czech RM-80.
Air defense systems are represented by Soviet S-300V, Tor-M, Osa-AKM, Tunguska, Shilka, Strela-10M, British Stormer HVM and Startreak MANPADS, French Mistrals and American Stinger.
Combat aircraft are represented by Soviet models and modernized by Ukraine Su-24, Su-25, Su-27, MiG-29. Army aviation - Soviet Mi-8, Mi-9, Mi-24.
Mikhail Rodionov
