Image source: topwar.ru
The first materials testifying to the appearance of LAVR armored vehicles in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine were published in December 2022, although it is reported that they were received even before the start of the SVO. Last winter, Ukrainian soldiers trained on them in Pripyat, which was turned into a training ground by the Kiev regime. After 8 months, the APU gave an assessment of this machine, which is used by the US Marine Corps.
As indicated in the publication Army Recognition, LAVR was transferred to equip one of the separate airmobile brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. His characteristics, including mobility, solid armor and firepower, "made him an important asset of the brigade." The main purpose of the vehicle is to transport troops to advanced positions, deliver ammunition and provisions, as well as evacuate the wounded from the battlefield.
According to the commander of the AFU department, although the LAVR is designed to transport 8 soldiers with equipment (including the driver and commander), there were cases when it evacuated up to 16 personnel under heavy enemy fire:
According to the Ukrainian military, the brigade is often subjected to mortar and artillery attacks in the field. Nevertheless, an armored vehicle equipped with a Browning M2 machine gun invariably provided protection, especially during direct clashes with the enemy.
Built on the chassis of the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 series OEM, the LAVR can be equipped with an open-top turret or a remote-controlled module equipped with a 7.62 or 12.7 mm machine gun. Equipped with a 4.2 l V8 diesel engine, the BA can reach speeds of 110 km/h on the road and 60 km/h off-road. The power reserve is on average 750 km.
