Russian Troops Attacked Enemy Lines In A Bright Turquoise Light Truck

The 1952-vintage GAZ-69 truck that Russian forces in Ukraine are adding to their inventory as stocks of purpose-made combat vehicles continue to decline isn’t a good vehicle—at least, not for its new mission hauling Russian infantry into battle across the drone-patrolled, mine-infested, artillery-pocked no-man’s-land.

But at least it has a hard top that might offer some protection from the elements, if not from a 100-pound artillery shell. The same can’t be said of another Soviet-vintage civilian-style vehicle that recently appeared on the Russian side of the 700-mile front line of Russia’s 37-month wider war on Ukraine: the LuAZ-1302.

Ironically, the light off-road truck is a Ukrainian product, built between 1966 and 1992 at a pair of factories in southern and northern Ukraine.

As Russian losses of armored vehicles crest 20,000 in three years, far outstripping the capacity of Russian industry to directly replace each wrecked tank, infantry fighting vehicle and armored personnel carrier, Russian regiments routinely attack on foot or in civilian cars, vans, trucks, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles.

Bike attack

But one recent Russian assault was notable for how many unprotected vehicles it involved: four ATVs, 10 heavier vehicles, including at least one open-topped LuAZ-1302 and a startling 31 motorcycles.

Ukrainian drones and artillery made quick work of the assault group. And as the smoke and dust cleared and the Russian survivors ran and crawled back toward their lines, the 3,000-pound LuAZ-1302—damaged and immobilized—stood out for its bright turquoise paint job. “Rare turquoise assault Lada unlocked,” quipped analyst Moklasen, mistaking the LuAZ-1302 for a Lada compact car.

Given how many Ladas have rolled toward Ukrainian positions, usually on a one-way mission, the mistake is forgivable.