Modernized Russian BMP-1AM Falls into Hands of Ukrainian 58th Brigade

24 November, 2023 Trophy Russian BMP-1AM in service with 58th Brigade, November 2023 Ukrainian troops seize a modernized Russian BMP-1AM Basurmanin in the Donetsk region. The press service of the 58th Motorized Brigade reported on this.

Soldiers of the 58th Mechanized Brigade repelled the invaders' assault and captured an undamaged Russian modernized BMP-1AM. "The invaders tried to attack, but our [soldiers] fought back well. The mechanic jumped out of the [Russian] BMP, the vehicle made it to the spot, hit a tree, and remained undamaged," the soldier said.

Photos of the same infantry fighting vehicle, dated early October 2023, were found online on the webpage of one of the invaders. The seized BMP belonged to the 37th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army of the Eastern Military District of the Russian Federation.

At the time of the filming, it was located in the area of Volnovakha, Donetsk region.

BMP-1AM of the 37th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, October 23

BMP-1AM of the 37th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, October 23

BMP-1AM of the 37th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, October 23

BMP-1AM of the 37th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, October 23

In addition to the factory-installed on-board slat armor, the vehicle also had a superstructure welded onto the turret to protect the BMP from drone attacks. The military footage shows the "superstructure" on the vehicle was damaged, presumably as a result of such a hit. According to a soldier of the 58th Motorized Brigade, the captured vehicle will undergo a technical inspection in a few days, after which it will reinforce one of the Brigade's units.

BMP-1AM Basurmanin

The BMP-1??

Basurmanin was upgraded by the Uralvagonzavod to improve its firepower. In particular, the Basurmanin was equipped with a remote weapon station from BTR-82?. The infantry fighting vehicle was also equipped with a 30mm autocannon and a PKTM 7.62mm machine gun.

The combat vehicle module was equipped with a modern guidance system and thermal imager.

The gunner's place in the combat compartment of the BMP-1AM Basurmanin. Photo credits: 58th Mechanized Brigade

Despite the upgrade, the ballistic and mine protection of the Basurmanin hull remained at the level of the basic Soviet BMP-1 and could only withstand fire from a 12.7mm machine gun in the front projection and small arms in a circular pattern. Important disadvantages of the modernized BMP include the low level of comfort and convenience of infantry landing, which is almost classic for Soviet-era armored vehicles.

In addition, the mine protection is not able to withstand hitting anti-tank mines common on the battlefield.