Russian Forces using UBIM Combat Engineering Vehicle to Clear Obstacles in Ukraine

More than tanks and armored vehicles, Russian Forces in Ukraine are using the UBIM Combat Engineering Vehicle (CEV) to clear forested and debris-strewn paths in Ukraine.

UBIM-CEV is a monstrous, 40-ton vehicle which due to its increasing utility, is referred to as "Weapon Z," or the weapon of victory.

The UBIM-CEV was brought into play where even tanks and armored vehicles began to struggle in the autumn of 2022. With its series of attachments including a dozer blade, a soil-ripper spike, a two-ton crane and a crew compartment for eight people, the combat engineering vehicle easily clears paths for the assault troops to operate in.

Trenches dug in by enemy forces were quickly filled in and heavy road obstacles were quickly cleared in by the UBIM-CEV.

Its mission is to ensure the advancement of troops and to carry out engineering work under conditions of enemy fire, including in radioactively contaminated terrain.

The UBIM's design provides comfortable accommodation for a crew of two and three engineers in a protected manned compartment.

The crew is protected by an armored hull.

In addition to the main working equipment, a hydraulic hammer can be installed on the boom to demolish concrete and reinforced concrete structures in rock roadblocks.

The vehicle's haulage winch enables removing damaged equipment from the travel ways.

The vehicle is equipped with a 12.7 mm machine gun module to repel sabotage attacks and destroy mines planted on the ground.

The hydraulic control system provides automatic self-diagnostics and protection of the electric hydraulic equipment, enables control and diagnostics, electrical adjustment work, which significantly facilitates and reduces the time for routine maintenance and repair of the vehicle.

A video system for viewing areas of engineering equipment allows for both daytime and night-time operation, increasing the vehicle's productivity.

Ventilation and air conditioning systems provide a comfortable working environment for the crew.

Another vehicle, BAT-2 has a dozer blade, a soil-ripper spike, a two-ton crane and a crew compartment for eight people onto the lower hull and suspension of a T-64 tank. The BAT-2s help clear paths for the tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, but they also rely on tanks and fighting vehicles to protect them while they work.