82nd Air Assault Brigade receives FN Minimi light machine guns

20 August, 2024 FN Minimi machine guns, which the Come Back Alive Foundation, together with Ukrnafta, transferred to the 82nd Brigade. August 2024. Photo credits: Come Back Alive Foundation

The Come Back Alive Foundation, together with Ukrnafta, has delivered a batch of machine guns to the soldiers of the 82nd Air Assault Brigade. The Foundation reported that 40 FN Minimi machine guns were purchased for the paratroopers of this unit. Their cost is UAH 25,267,620, and this is not the only contribution of Ukrnafta to arm the 82nd Air Assault Brigade, the Foundation shared.

"Together with Ukrnafta, we have transferred 40 FN Minimi machine guns to the 82nd separate air assault brigade, which is currently participating in an offensive in the Kursk region," the Come Back Alive Foundation team noted.

FN Minimi machine guns, which the Come Back Alive Foundation, together with Ukrnafta, transferred to the 82nd Brigade. August 2024. Photo credits: Come Back Alive Foundation

The Foundation noted that Ukrainian paratroopers had received this time-tested and war-torn weapon before the operation and were already actively using it during assaults, cutting off and eliminating enemy infantry.

FN Minimi machine guns, which the Come Back Alive Foundation, together with Ukrnafta, transferred to the 82nd Brigade.

August 2024. Photo credits: Come Back Alive Foundation

The Come Back Alive press service said that UAH 78,825,387.9 in donations from Ukrnafta was used to purchase mortars, hand grenade launchers, machine guns, and 2,000 FPV drones with ammunition for the 82nd Brigade paratroopers.

FN Minimi machine guns, which the Come Back Alive Foundation provided for the Azov Brigade. August 2024.

Photo credits: Azov Brigade

Earlier, 40 FN Minimi handguns were delivered to the 12th Azov Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine soldiers. The funds to purchase small arms were taken from the Foundation's general accounts, which came from concerned Ukrainians. The basic version of the Minimi is divided into three generations, and several separate versions are in 5.56mm and 7.62mm caliber.

The most recent version is the Mk3.

FN Minimi of the 82nd Air Assault Brigade. Photo credits: Come Back Alive Foundation

The new model modernizes the ammunition feed tray and bolt release lever mechanism, greatly facilitating the process of loading the feed belt with one hand. It also has an adjustable ergonomic stock, integrated forend and bipod, and several picatinny rails for mounting additional equipment.

FN Minimi machine guns, which the Come Back Alive Foundation, together with Ukrnafta, transferred to the 82nd Brigade.

August 2024.

Photo credits: Come Back Alive Foundation

The Minimi machine gun's effective range depends on the target type and firing conditions: for a group target from a tripod - up to 1000 meters, from a tripod - up to 1000 meters, from bipods - up to 800 meters.

These figures are 800 and 600 meters for a single target, respectively.