Raising Red Flags: An Examination of Arms & Munitions in the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine, 2014

Armament Research Services (ARES) is a specialist consultancy which offers technical expertise and analysis to a range of government and non-government entities in the arms and munitions field. This report examines over 100 distinct weapons systems, over 60 different types of munitions, and over 70 different models of armoured fighting vehicles, as well as miscellaneous associated materiel, in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Particular attention is paid to items which may indicate flows of arms and munitions into and within the affected areas of Ukraine. Beginning with an assessment of the arms and munitions employed during the initial unrest in Kiev, in February 2012, the report documents relevant materiel up until the time of publication (November 2014). As is typical of conflict in the internet age, commentators are quick to point to apparent discrepancies in photographs and video as evidence of external assistance. This conflict, with its internecine trappings, has been no exception, notably in the misidentification of various older anti-tank weapons as their modern replacements. Whilst information warfare undoubtedly has a role to play, many of these errors need not be the product of deliberate propaganda. The complex history of Soviet and Russian weapons development has resulted in the erroneous identifications of certain weapons systems. This report examines the significant range of arms and munitions carried and employed throughout the conflict by armed individuals on all sides. It also examines, somewhat less extensively, the range of armoured vehicles and aircraft observed in the conflict. The contents of the report represent only an initial assessment of materiel documented in Ukraine. This assessment relies primarily on publicly released material made available through mainstream media sources and social media platforms. This is supplemented by material collected directed by journalists, NGO workers, and local sources on the ground.