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Russia Creates a Battlefield Frankenstein Fitting Captured M2 Bradley With Own 30mm Cannon

Russia Creates a Battlefield Frankenstein Fitting Captured M2 Bradley With Own 30mm Cannon

A surprising twist in the ongoing battle for armored superiority has emerged in Russia, where a US-supplied to Ukraine M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) has been photographed fitted with a Russian-made 30mm 2A72 cannon, despite previous claims that Western tanks and IFVs are overrated and “essentially useless.”

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
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The modification involves replacing the Bradley’s original 25mm Bushmaster chain gun with a 2A72 autocannon—raising fresh questions about Russia’s intentions and the fate of Western-supplied equipment, according to the defense media outlet The War Zone on June 28.

The photo, whose origin, location, and date remain unclear, appears to show the modified Bradley at a depot housing other Western armor seized from Ukraine.

While it’s unknown whether the vehicle is meant for operational use, weapons trials, or simply propaganda, The War Zone notes that this isn’t the first time Russian forces have tinkered with captured NATO gear.

From Bushmaster to 2A72

The 2A72 cannon now mounted on the Bradley is typically found on Russian BTR-82A armored personnel carriers and is a lighter variant of the 2A42, which arms the BMP-2, BMD-series vehicles, and even Ka-52 and Mi-28 attack helicopters.

With a firing rate of 330 rounds per minute and a range of nearly a mile against armor (and up to 1.2 miles against infantry), the 2A72 offers a faster fire rate than the Bushmaster’s 200 rounds per minute, though it sacrifices some accuracy and versatility.

As The War Zone points out, one plausible motive behind the swap could be ammunition logistics. Russian troops operating captured Bradleys may struggle to supply 25mm NATO-standard rounds, especially specialized armor-piercing or depleted uranium sabot variants.

In terms of firepower, the M2A2 Bradley’s 25mm M242 autocannon proved more accurate and effective than the BMP-3’s 30mm 2A42 and 2A72 guns. The Bradley’s rounds offer nearly double the armor penetration compared to their Russian counterparts, extending its effective combat range.

The study also noted Bradley’s operational advantages: better internal ergonomics, easier maintenance, and improved crew access between compartments.

One Russian soldier quoted in official footage even claimed to prefer the BMP-2’s 30mm gun to the Bushmaster.

In addition, captured NATO hardware is often displayed at exhibitions across Russia, and mounting a familiar Russian weapon on an American IFV could be a symbolic gesture—designed for parades or displays rather than combat. After all, this wouldn’t be the first time the Kremlin has modified captured Western armor for show: one M1A1 Abrams tank previously displayed in Russia had its damaged barrel reattached upside down.

Russia’s use of captured Bradleys

There is documented evidence that Russia has returned some captured Bradleys to working order, fitting them with ad hoc armor and deploying them on the battlefield.

One video shows a Russian unit from the Center Army Group operating such a vehicle after mine damage had been repaired. Soldiers praised the vehicle’s armor, internal space, and fire-control systems.

Still, it’s unlikely that Russia could maintain a fleet of Bradleys in any meaningful way. The War Zone notes that while over 300 M2A2 ODS Bradleys have been sent to Ukraine since April 2023, only a fraction have been captured.

According to Oryx, a respected open-source monitoring group, at least 12 Bradleys have been seized, though many more have been damaged or abandoned in battle.

M2 Breadley also was criticized by the head of Russia’s state defense conglomerate Rostec, Sergey Chemezov. He claimed that the vehicle lacs off-road performance and amphibious capability, a notable difference compared to Russian IFVs.

“It struggles off-road and gets stuck in black soil,” he claimed. “Nearly all Bradleys delivered to Ukraine have been destroyed.”

Indeed, Ukrainian forces have published video evidence showing Bradleys absorbing multiple hits and surviving drone or mine attacks. In one clip, a Bradley is seen engaging a Russian T-90M tank at close range with its Bushmaster cannon—demonstrating both resilience and offensive capability.

A tactical experiment or PR stunt?

While the retrofit may hint at battlefield experimentation or reverse engineering, The War Zone emphasizes that the most likely scenario is propaganda.

The Bradley’s heavy armor and survivability make it valuable—even in limited numbers—but the logistical hurdles to sustain captured vehicles with American systems remain steep.

Earlier, a video emerged online showing what appears to be a scene from the battlefield near Sokil village in the Donetsk region. A Ukrainian M2A2 ODS-SA Bradley infantry fighting vehicle is shown surrounded by the wreckage of five Russian BTR-82 armored personnel carriers and two buggies.

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