American weapons in Ukraine. Frontline feedback from Ukrainian soldiers

The Barrett MRAD

The Barrett MRAD is a high-precision sniper rifle with a barrel length of up to 69 cm (27 inches). Its key feature is the ability to swap barrels of different calibers, allowing for adaptability in various combat scenarios.

It utilizes a detachable box magazine, has an effective range of 1,500 meters, and holds 10 rounds per magazine, making it a versatile and reliable choice for long-range engagements.

Sniping Instructor, 5th Assault Brigade:

“The Barrett MRAD pleasantly surprised me. It’s a solid weapon—an absolute legend among firearms. However, if you don’t maintain it properly or clean it regularly, it will quickly become inoperable. This rifle requires meticulous care. At a distance of one kilometer, the spread is about 60 centimeters. It’s being actively used in Donbas.”

The Barrett thrives on lubrication and cleanliness.

Sniper, 1st Company, 5th Assault Brigade:

“The Barrett MRAD is an excellent rifle for snipers, with its key advantage being its multi-caliber capability. You can equip it with barrels chambered for both .308 and .338 calibers. This is incredibly convenient, as it eliminates the need to carry two separate rifles. Depending on the distance and mission requirements, swapping barrels is easy and doesn’t require special skills. The rifle’s accuracy is impressive. For example, at a range of 1,300 to 1,600 meters with a .338 caliber barrel, the margin of error is between 0.5 and 1 MOA (5-10 cm). The rifle’s mechanisms are well-designed, resulting in moderate recoil, making it difficult to get hit in the forehead by the scope.

The only downside, in my opinion, is that over time, all of the rifle’s mechanisms develop slight play. It’s a bit frustrating but doesn’t affect overall performance. Compared to some semi-automatic rifles in .308 and .338 calibers, the Barrett MRAD is slightly heavier.”

Sniper, 2nd Company, 5th Assault Brigade:

“I worked with the Barrett MRAD equipped with .338 and .308 barrels, paired with a Leupold scope. Compared to the rifles we had previously, the Barrett was a whole new level of performance. We used the MRAD for both daytime and nighttime operations. For night work, we mounted a Nightforce thermal clip-on to the daytime optic, which allowed us to operate effectively in low-light conditions.

One downside we encountered was that in some Barrett rifles, cracks developed where the barrel is mounted. We had to address these issues on our own.”

Browning M2 machine gun

The heavy machine gun is designed to engage both ground and aerial targets. It can hit targets at a distance of up to 2,000 meters. It is chambered in .50 BMG, with a rate of fire ranging from 750 to 850 rounds per minute and a muzzle velocity of 887.1 meters per second.

Squad Commander of the Mobile Air Defense Fire Group, 34th Marine Coastal Defense Brigade:

“Against aerial targets, the machine gun has a maximum range of 1,200 meters, but its effective engagement distance is typically around 400–500 meters. We primarily take down small drones like Mavics and FPV drones. Shaheds fly too high for us to reach them. I’ve never encountered a simpler weapon to operate. Compared to the DShK, the Browning has the same caliber, but it is far more practical and offers excellent accuracy. There are absolutely no issues with it.”

Company Commander, 128th Territorial Defense Brigade:

“Before the Browning, we used the DShK. The Soviet machine gun offers a wider variety of ammunition types, including tracer and armor-piercing rounds, whereas the Browning has a more limited selection. However, the DShK relies on belts that must constantly be reloaded, either manually or with a Rakov machine, which isn’t available in all units. With the Browning, that issue doesn’t exist. It comes with preloaded ammo boxes, so you just pull the belt through and you’re ready to fire. Once you finish a belt, you simply grab another box with a fully loaded belt—no manual reloading required. In contrast, the DShK requires constant reloading, all done by hand.”

Another advantage is that the Browning, when fully assembled, is lighter than the DShK.

“However, the DShK’s cartridges are about 9 mm longer than the Browning’s, with a slightly larger powder charge, which gives them a longer effective range.”

Machine Gunner, 128th Territorial Defense Brigade:

“I believe the Browning M2 is an excellent weapon, but it is not effective for mobile fire groups tasked with shooting down Shaheds. According to its specifications, the Browning has an effective range of 2 kilometers, whereas the DShK has a range of 3.5 kilometers against ground targets and 2.5 kilometers against aerial targets.

In my opinion, for engaging Shaheds, aerial threats, infantry, and lightly armored vehicles, the DShK is a superior machine gun compared to the Browning.”

The MaxxPro mine-resistant vehicle

The MaxxPro is a wheeled armored personnel carrier with mine-resistant protection. Its chassis can withstand an explosive device detonation of up to 7 kg without sustaining significant damage. The vehicle is built for a crew of three.

Powered by a 330-horsepower engine, the MaxxPro has a payload capacity ranging from 1.6 to 5 tons. Its composite armor provides enhanced ballistic protection, making it a reliable choice for troop transport and combat operations in high-threat environments.

Platoon Commander, 3rd Assault Brigade:

“Switching from a BMP to a MaxxPro feels like going from a Zaporozhets to a Mercedes. We call it ‘Mad Max.’ The armored vehicle can withstand running over an anti-tank mine, has a double layer of armor, and effectively protects the crew. Our MaxxPro is battered and scarred, but the most important thing is that everyone inside is still alive.”

Mechanic-driver, 3rd Assault Brigade:

“The MaxxPro is very heavy, weighing around 13 tons, but it’s easy to drive and can accelerate up to 120-130 km/h. However, it sometimes skids on turns. The vehicle handles off-road terrain well, and the tires are extremely durable. I also like the shock-absorbing seats—riding in the MaxxPro is actually quite comfortable. The only downside is that finding spare parts for repairs can be difficult.”

Deputy Company Commander, 3rd Assault Brigade:

«“The MaxxPro is perfect for assault operations. Its armor provides protection against shrapnel, and when we hit a mine, only the chassis was damaged while the crew remained safe. The armored capsule shields personnel during intense combat. However, its major drawback is its heavy weight, which, in my opinion, reduces maneuverability. When speed is crucial, such as during casualty evacuation, I believe lighter vehicles would be a better option.”

Mk 19 grenade launcher

An automatic weapon with a blowback-operated action and a 40mm caliber, designed to engage enemy personnel, armored vehicles, and aerial targets. The grenade launcher is operated by a two-person crew. It has an initial velocity of 240 m/s, an effective range of up to 1,500 meters, and a maximum range of 2,200 meters.

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Platoon Commander, 5th Assault Brigade:

“I believe the Mk 19 is a good weapon, but no weapon is perfect—there were still some drawbacks. For instance, we had issues with grenades not feeding properly, likely due to the inconsistency in ammunition supply. It’s possible that the problem stemmed from using non-American rounds. Unlike its counterpart, the AGS ‘Polumya,’ the Mk 19 does not tolerate lubrication well. It operates better when dry, as oil tends to attract dust, which can occasionally cause it to jam.”

Company Commander, 128th Territorial Defense Brigade:

“One major drawback of the Mk 19 is its weight—around 55 kg. In comparison, its counterpart, the AGS ‘Polumya,’ weighs only 47 kg when fully equipped. The Mk 19 consists of three main parts: the base, the tripod, and the main firing unit. Another issue is the difficulty in sourcing repair kits when grenade launcher components break. The AGS ‘Polumya’ is easier to repair since spare parts are more readily available. That said, the Mk 19 fires more consistently and with tighter grouping than Soviet-designed weapons. Its range reaches up to 2,200 meters, whereas the AGS has a maximum range of only 1,900 meters. In my experience, with a tailwind, Mk 19 rounds have even reached 2,250 meters. A major advantage of American weapons is the way ammunition is supplied.

The Mk 19 comes with preloaded ammo boxes containing either 32 or 48 grenades, eliminating the need for manual belt loading, as required with Soviet models. Americans design weapons for convenience and ease of use.”

Grenadier, 128th Territorial Defense Brigade:

“Compared to Soviet-designed weapons, the Mk 19 has a smaller ammunition capacity. However, Soviet AGS grenade launchers are unstable—they require additional reinforcement, and you have to lean on them with your full weight when firing.”

The Mk 19 is much easier to shoot, offering accuracy, stability, and simple maintenance.

“It’s a comfortable weapon, and soldiers can quickly learn how to operate it. The ease of loading makes it especially effective in high-intensity combat situations. From our Western partners, we would appreciate receiving more ammunition, as having a sufficient supply of rounds saves lives.”

Abrams M1 tank

Designed with composite armor, this heavily armored combat vehicle is built for battlefield superiority. It is operated by a four-person crew, consisting of a driver, gunner, commander, and loader. Powered by a 1,500-horsepower engine, the tank has an operational range of 410 km and can reach speeds of 67 km/h on highways and 48 km/h off-road.

Platoon Commander, 47th Brigade:

“This tank is impressive—it features modern fire control, target detection, and aiming systems. It allows for precise firing even while in motion. The additional armor significantly increases crew survivability. Despite its heavy weight, the tank is surprisingly maneuverable. We even pushed it to 70 km/h at one point.”

“The Abrams can be effectively used both in defense and offense.

Tank Mechanic-Driver, 47th Brigade

“Ukrainian forces have repeatedly deployed these tanks in offensive operations. The most valuable aspect of the Abrams is its ability to save crew members’ lives—its armor can withstand anti-tank missiles and mine blasts. The tank’s capsule provides reliable protection for my team. The main downside is that operating an Abrams is challenging. It takes a long time to learn and master its controls to truly operate it with confidence.”

Gunner-Operator, 47th Brigade:

“The Abrams has excellent armor and an impressive firing range of up to 3 kilometers. Its thermal imaging camera allows for effective targeting at night. Another advantage is the interior—it’s much more comfortable compared to Soviet-designed tanks. The torsion suspension ensures a smooth ride, making movement more stable. The main downside of the Abrams M1 is that we lack the capability to repair it locally. Spare parts are unavailable, so if the tank breaks down, we have to send it to Poland for repairs.”

F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighter

The General Dynamics fourth-generation multirole fighter is designed for air interception, target destruction, and precision bombing. It is operated by a single pilot and serves as a highly versatile combat aircraft. With a maximum speed of 2,410 km/h, the aircraft has a flight range of 4,220 km and a combat radius of 550 km, making it a formidable force in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the United States has allocated $182.8 billion in aid to Ukraine, with $66.5 billion specifically designated for weapons and military equipment. As of March 3, 2025, the White House has suspended military aid deliveries. While Ukrainian authorities remain committed to continuing cooperation with the United States, the future of weapons supplies remains uncertain.

Photo: Andriy Dubchak
Текст: Olha Kurshevska