Ditching and switching: Ukraine dumps Kalashnikovs in favour of home-grown AR
Ukrainian soldiers have been opening fire at practice targets using an AR-15-style assault rifle with a difference – it's made in their own country.
The soldiers say the new UAR-15 is more handy, more practical and precise than their AKs.
A soldier from the National Guard of Ukraine, identified only as Yakusa, explained how the new rifle would be used on the battlefield.
"The war has changed a lot. Drones are now the biggest threat and it is the drones that hit our positions the most, as well as the infantry when they're on the move," he said.
"We have training. We learn and practise how to hit drones using the UAR-15 to make our fighting more effective."
The Ukrainian military has long relied on the Soviet-designed Kalashnikov, a simple and rugged assault weapon designed to be reliable in harsh conditions.
But there have been concerns about its reliability and accuracy, especially considering the age of some of the weapons the soldiers have been issued.
"We underwent a two-month-long training during which we were issued Kalashnikov automatic rifles," explained a soldier known as Nord.
"The rifle I was using was made in 1962. It was old and rusty.
"Before we were issued these rifles, we were told we had to clean them thoroughly, tinker with them and fix them.
"The first thing it did when I started using it, it failed to fire twice."
The US-designed AR-15 assault rifle was adopted by Ukraine's armed forces in 2023.
It's now poised to replace the AK, modernising Ukraine's military and equipping it with weapons that meet Nato standards.
According to Ukraine's defence ministry, the UAR-15 has several modifications with different barrel lengths.
It's possible to install a device for reducing the sound level of a shot and other tactical accessories, with the barrel designed to last for 10,000 shots.
Military experts praise it for its practicality and range, and the way it can adapt to modern warfare conditions.
There's another advantage too – its weight.
"Logistics is very complicated now, and the boys end up having to negotiate long distances on foot," said a soldier called Yhuzhnyi.
The UAR is lighter than the AK by 600g, and this makes it possible for them to carry more rounds, provisions or even a bottle of water.
"Indisputably, this is a huge advantage. As they say, even a needle is heavy when you travel."
The UAR-15 rifle is nearly entirely produced domestically. All major components are manufactured within Ukraine, except for the barrels.
These are still imported from the United States, but Ukraine is expected to begin domestic barrel production by 2026.
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