A photo circulating online shows a U.S.-supplied M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle in Russia, modified with a Soviet-designed 2A72 30mm autocannon in place of its original 25mm M242 Bushmaster.
The vehicle is believed to have been captured from Ukrainian forces. The image’s origin and date are unknown, but it appears to have been taken at a depot storing other Western equipment seized during the war.
🇷🇺Some wondered how can Russians use the Bradley if they don’t have ammo for it. Well, that’s how:
“Russian repairmen installed a domestic 30mm 2A72 cannon on a captured Bradley instead of the chain-driven Bushmaster.” pic.twitter.com/m4SZhfVKQe
— SIMPLICIUS Ѱ (@simpatico771) June 12, 2025
Although it is unclear whether the vehicle is intended for operational use, weapons testing, or propaganda purposes, The War Zone points out that this is not the first instance of Russian forces experimenting with captured NATO equipment.
Russia has previously exhibited captured NATO gear in modified forms, including a U.S. Abrams tank.
NEW: 🇷🇺🇺🇲 The Russians are taking US-made Abrams tank for reverse engineering
The Russians brought a US-made M1A1SA Abrams main battle tank captured from Ukraine to the Uralvagonzavod tank plant in Nizhny Tagil. pic.twitter.com/07kXHVinmQ
— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) December 27, 2024
According to TWZ, the 2A72, a lighter variant of the 2A42, fires 330 rounds per minute and has a range of up to 2,000 meters. It is normally used on Russian BTR-82A armored personnel carriers.
Ukraine has received over 300 M2A2 Bradleys from the U.S. since April 2023. According to Oryx open-source tracking group, at least 12 have been visually confirmed captured, with others abandoned or damaged.
