Russian ‘special agencies’ to test exoskeletons for use in Ukraine
Shadowy Russian military units will test exoskeletons this year that could give soldiers fighting in Ukraine better endurance and strength.
The announcement of the upcoming tests came as reports of severe equipment shortages continued to hang over the country's mobilisation drive.
Maxim Skokov, the CEO of Russia’s Ekzo Solutions, told the country’s RIA Novosti news agency that his company had been approached by “special agencies” - most likely meaning intelligence agencies or private military groups - looking to test and potentially use their equipment on the battlefields of Ukraine.
The announcement of the upcoming tests came as reports of severe equipment shortages continued to hang over the country’s mobilisation drive.
Exoskeletons - futuristic robotic suits that a soldier can wear - are in development around the world and are intended to enable troops to carry extra weight or armour protection.
“Artillerymen are interested in exoskeletons to ease the weight of shells during loading,” said Mr Skokov. “We are going to hold tests at a training ground in November or December, with a potential customer testing the effectiveness of our equipment in practice.”
Ekzo Solutions already builds relatively affordable partial exoskeletons and harnesses for industrial use.
“Today we make about 50 exoskeletons per month, but if necessary, we will be able to quickly increase production,” Mr Skokov said.
Ratnik armoured exoskeletons tested in Syria
Ekzo Solutions is part of state-owned conglomerate Rostec which unveiled the first Russian-made combat suit in 2018.
The Ratnik, or “Warrior”, armoured exoskeletons were tested by military engineers in Syria during Russia’s military operation there, and Rostec in recent years claimed to have delivered 300,000 suits to the Russian military.
However, no Russian exoskeletons have been spotted on the battlefield in Ukraine yet, amid an avalanche of complaints from across the country about the substandard equipment available to the army.
Tens of thousands of men called up to the army to shore up Russia’s flagging invasion have been clamouring about dire shortages of even the most basic equipment like uniforms.
Numerous reports suggest that mobilised men are typically expected to source their own kit and pay for it themselves.
