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Why Ukraine’s 21st Brigade Calls the Swedish CV90 a “Beast”: Survivability, Speed and Suppressive Fire

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Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
News Writer
Ukrainian servicemen inspect their Swedish-made CV90 armored infantry combat vehicle on a position overlooking Bakhmut in the Donetsk region on November 27, 2023. (Source: Getty Images)
Ukrainian servicemen inspect their Swedish-made CV90 armored infantry combat vehicle on a position overlooking Bakhmut in the Donetsk region on November 27, 2023. (Source: Getty Images)

Soldiers of the 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade say the Swedish-made infantry fighting vehicle combines protection, firepower, and mobility—and survives multiple FPV drone strikes, according to a brigade video published October 27.

Ukraine’s 21st Separate Mechanized Brigade is putting Sweden’s CV90 infantry fighting vehicle to work on some of the war’s hottest fronts—and its crews say the vehicle is living up to its reputation.

A video the brigade posted shows soldiers praising the IFV for its armor, speed, and gun, and describing how the vehicle has withstood several FPV-drone impacts while drawing enemy fire away from dismounting infantry.

“Strength is in the armor, the speed, and, of course, the gun,” one soldier says in the video, adding that the CV90 can reach about 80 km/h (50 mph) on the road.

Asked to rate reliability, he gives the vehicle a 9 out of 10. “Of course, it’s metal—it will break down eventually. But a nine is about right.” He notes the most common faults are minor: road wheels and expendables like hoses and tubes.

Troops say the CV90 has repeatedly been targeted by FPV attack drones and has absorbed up to five strikes without becoming inoperable.

“One flew right into the ‘beak’—nothing serious. Another got tangled in the net. It all depends on the charge: if it’s weak, the vehicle will keep going,” a crew member explains.

That resilience has a tactical payoff: enemy units reportedly prioritize CV90s as first targets. “They fear it,” a soldier says.

“The gun tears things apart—a 40 [millimeter] caliber. It hits hard.” Because of that attention, crews use the vehicle to shield dismounting infantry: the IFV draws incoming fire, troops jump out—“Desant, ground!”—and the CV90 then lays down suppressing fire to cover their movement.

In the brigade footage, soldiers repeatedly refer to the CV90 as the “Scandinavian beast” and praise its “calm character.”

That combination of speed, protection, and a powerful autocannon makes it a high-value asset for both maneuver and direct-fire support.

The CV90 family, developed by BAE Systems Hägglunds and used in several European armies, is often cited in military assessments as one of the more modern and survivable IFVs on the market.

Earlier, reports emerged that while Sweden’s CV90 infantry fighting vehicle is built for versatility and protection on the battlefield, Ukraine’s military has pushed that flexibility to new extremes—using the vehicle not just for troop transport or medical evacuation, but at times as a substitute self-propelled artillery system.

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