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In depth analysis of all the weapons used by the previously unaffiliated troops

Almost all fighters seen are equipped with AK-74M assault rifles, and the odd supplementary AKM-S. The AK-74M is the R.F.'s main service rifle - the only other countries to use it, in small numbers, are Azerbaijan and Cyprus. Neither seems a likely candidate for arming / fielding these troops.

Another Russian Federation weapon - produced after collapse of the USSR, and consequently not possessed by the Ukrainian military or police units. It also fires proprietary ammunition calibre, 43mm, only produced in Russia. The EOtech is particularly telling: it is enormously popular among Russian special forces, but expensive.

These soldiers' weapons are accessorized with add-ons made by the Russian company Zenitco, based in Moscow. Again, these accessories are widely used by the Russian military, predominately special forces who wish to enhance personal weapons.

I've given dollar values just to illustrate that these are not cheap, but milspec systems used by professionals - though of course they don't preclude use by amateurs.

Again, Zenitco accessories. As this gear is purchased by individual soldiers to outfit their personal weapons, it is nonstandard equipment - definitely unlikely

While the PKM machine gun is ubiquitous across the former USSR, the PKP is a much more recent Russian Federation design, easily identifiable by the carrying handle / air cooling apparatus above the barrel. It is not exported or in service with any country other than Russia.

Forgive the crude highlighting, but I was pressed for time. As the description states, these are another arm specific to the Russian Federation, issued to VDV paratroopers and other special units starting in the early '90s - after the collapse of the USSR, thus precluding their issue to other nations such as Ukraine, whose forces do not field them.

Conclusion: at the very least, these irregulars are armed by the Russian Federation. More likely, they are VDV / spetsnaz troops -indicated by a degree of weapon customization (optics, rail systems, etc) not usually seen among conscript troops, even special forces units.

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