Occupants report using Motiv-3M self-propelled cluster munitions near Avdiivka
During the assaults on Avdiivka, the enemy used Motiv-3M cassette submunitions, which have independent individual guidance. At least this was reported by a number of Russian media outlets with a video showing something similar to them and claiming that it was Motiv-3M, also known as SPBE-D.
In the video, in the traditional extremely low quality for the Russian Federation, it is possible to see only the operation of the “shock core” of two such or similar submunitions.
It should be noted that it is not possible to verify the video and localize it, but the enemy’s use of Motiv-3M is likely.
In general, Motiv-3M is used to equip 9M55K1 rockets from Smerch MLRS and 9M544 corrected rockets from Tornado-S MLRS. It can also be included in the equipment of RBK-500 cluster bombs and should be included in the nomenclature of submunitions of the new glide bomb (based on RBK-500), but in this case, it is likely to be excluded.
The principle of operation of the Motiv-3M cluster missiles is to open a cassette with them over an area of enemy armored vehicles, after which the elements descend on parachutes to turn on infrared target sensors, point them at and activate cumulative warheads that operate on the principle of a “warhead” to form a high-speed penetrator.
The latter is flying at speeds of several kilometers per second and is responsible for the appearance of the characteristic “pillars of fire” in the video. Since the targets are hit in the upper projection of the armored vehicles, there is a high probability of disabling them.
At the same time, such products are not unique, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine actively uses SMArt 155 and Bonus artillery shells, which are similar in principle, but have a similar effect.
At the same time, the use of Motiv-3M, as well as any other similar homing munitions, is more than sporadic in Russia, and the video released is the first one. This means that the enemy has not only concentrated significant resources in manpower and equipment near Avdiivka, but also sent extremely scarce Smerch and/or Tornado-S systems with even more scarce ammunition.
It should be noted that the declared range of the Smerch 9M55K1 with such submunitions is up to 70 km, and the 9M544 with Tornado-S is 120 km, making them a rather difficult target for counter-battery warfare.
