Commonly used guns in Ukraine

The Ukrainian Special Forces are well armed with an interesting mix of firearms, from the AK series, first built in the 1940s, to the very modern Tavor.

The Ukraine-Russia conflict made the country receive a lot of support from the west. Countries such as the United States have donated weapons and tanks to aid in fighting the enemy.

In modus operandi, the backbone of the military is assault rifles apart from the heavy weapons.

Here are the commonly used guns in Ukraine.

AK-74

The main rifle of the Ukrainian military is the AK-74 series. These 5.45x39mm assault rifles provide a very reliable and controllable platform. The smaller 5.45 caliber provides softer recoiling rounds with less muzzle rise. AK-74 is easy to use and suitable for cold environments. Ukraine is made up of a larger portion experiencing cold; thus, the long-stroke-gas-piston systems work best there. The Ukrainian Special Forces outfit these rifles with the latest in modern accessories. This includes Eotech optics, backed by 3X magnifiers. They often use M4-style stocks, rial systems, lights, and suppressors.

Fort-221

It is manufactured in Israel where it is called 5.56 Travor. As a bullpup, the weapon places the action and magazine behind the trigger and creates a much more compact weapon without a loss in barrel size. Ukrainian soldiers wielding the Fort-221 have a very compact rifle that’s quite capable at all infantry ranges.

AKS-74U

This ultra-short platform fires the 5.45 cartridge from an 8.1-inch barrel. This platform excels for use inside vehicles, armor, and extremely close quarters. The forces in Ukraine use them in special situations.

Fort-224

It’s the same design as the Fort-221 but chambered in 9mm with a 12.9-inch barrel. The weapon is slightly smaller, and using 9mm makes it easier to suppress while retaining a much shorter barrel. Like the Fort-221, it remains modular and modern.

Glock 17

It is one of the most popular pistols in the world. The Glock 17 is one of the top-chosen pistols by special operations units around the globe. It’s not a surprise to see them in the hands of the Ukrainian Special Forces. Its adoption by the Ukrainian Special Forces is one more notch in Glock’s belt. These pistols are well-made, extremely reliable, and very simple.

Fort-17

It is domestically manufactured in Ukraine. The Fort-17 features an exposed hammer with a double-action / single-action trigger. The frame appears to be a polymer, and the weapon chambers 13 rounds of 9mm Makarov. Not much information is out there, but the trigger guard appears massive and accommodating to gloved hands.

Zbroyar Z-10

The Zbroyar Z-10 is based on the United States’ own AR-10 and chambers, the 7.62 NATO round. Shooters can outfit the weapon with a variety of optics, bipods, lights, lasers, and accessories. Collapsible and fixed stocks are available, as are various barrel lengths and magazine capacities. It’s a precision rifle that’s semi-automatic and offers increased range and accuracy over both the Dragunov and the AK series of rifles.