On October 6, photos emerged online showcasing a rare Russian armored vehicle, the VPK-59095S (AMN-590951) “VPK-Ural,” now in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers from the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade.
The vehicle was captured and is now being used by Ukrainian forces as a liaison vehicle, complete with a Starlink antenna mounted on its roof.
The distinctive vehicle, commonly used by Russian naval infantry, was identified by renowned Ukrainian military expert Andriy Kharyk. Kharyk highlighted the unusual nature of the capture, noting that the VPK-Ural has not officially been adopted by any military, including the Russian Armed Forces, and is considered a civilian vehicle.
The VPK-Ural was developed by the Russian company “VPK” based on the chassis of the two-axle, all-wheel-drive Ural-53099 truck. Designed during the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, the vehicle was first showcased in 2019. Due to sanctions and restrictions, the designers were unable to access imported components and instead installed a 360-horsepower Yaroslavl diesel engine.
The vehicle, which weighs around 8 tons and can carry 8-12 personnel, was originally intended for export. It was created in partnership with Streit Group from the UAE and marketed under the name “Condor,” which closely mirrors the design and body elements of the Russian VPK-Ural.
The use of such vehicles by Ukrainian forces not only provides them with additional resources but also offers valuable intelligence on Russian military assets.