Ukrainian Drones Destroy Russian BAT-2 Engineering Vehicle—A Battlefield First

Russian forces are intensifying their assaults on Ukrainian positions in the Lyman sector, but Ukraine’s Armed Forces have not only repelled the attacks but also achieved a battlefield first—destroying a rare Russian BAT-2 engineering vehicle, the “Khortytsia” Operational-Strategic Group of Forces reported on February 21.

“In recent days, FPV drone operators have managed to destroy a significant amount of enemy hardware, including an MT-LB, two trucks, an artillery gun, a UAZ van, a motorcycle, and for the first time ever—a BAT-2 engineering vehicle,” the “Khortytsia” group stated.

The 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade showcased the precision of Ukrainian drone operators, releasing footage of drones delivering pinpoint strikes, and destroying Russian equipment.

What is the BAT-2?

The BAT-2 is a Soviet-era engineering vehicle built on the MT-T tractor chassis. Developed at the Kharkiv Machine-Building Design Bureau, it was produced in limited numbers. The BAT acronym stands for “Bulldozer on an Artillery Tractor.”

This specialized vehicle is used for engineering and mobility tasks such as:

• Moving earth to create crossings over ravines and trenches.

• Preparing access points to river crossings.

• Clearing obstacles like brush, trees, stumps, snow, and rocks.

• Cutting paths through debris, forests, and urban environments.

• Laying down roadblocks and fortifications.

The destruction of a BAT-2 on the battlefield is a rare and significant event, further disrupting Russian logistics and fortifications.

Earlier, a Russian Tor-M2 air defense system, valued at $25 million, was destroyed by Ukrainian forces in a coordinated strike using a U.S.-supplied Switchblade loitering munition.