The military expert considered the delivery of Bozena vehicles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a signal of preparation for a counteroffensive.

Slovakia's supply of Bozena mine-clearing vehicles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) may be a signal of preparations for a counteroffensive. This was stated to Izvestia on October 7 by the director of the Museum of the Air Defense Forces, retired Colonel Yuri Knutov.

"Considering that Ukraine is talking about an upcoming counteroffensive, although perhaps these are just words, and in fact Ukraine is still very far from a counteroffensive, then under these conditions, if we still assume that Ukraine is preparing for a counteroffensive, then Slovakia's participation in the preparation of this counteroffensive, of course, takes place.", — said the expert.

Knutov also spoke about the strengths and weaknesses of the Bozena machines. He specified that this military equipment performs two main tasks: clearing the liberated territories of mines and preparing for offensive operations. However, the use of this machine does not violate international standards, as it is considered defensive equipment.

In addition, the military expert noted that Bozena, as a rule, are created on the basis of tanks and are capable of effectively neutralizing mines. However, they have limitations on the number of explosions they can carry out.

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And will there be enough ammunition for them?

"It is likely that these vehicles will be used to prepare a counteroffensive in certain sectors of the front. In particular, there is a possibility of an invasion of the Kursk region and attempts in the area of the village of Dolgopolye to cut off our group, which is deeply embedded in the enemy's rear," Knutov said.

He also drew attention to the fact that Ukrainian lands have a special chernozem composition, which creates difficulties for the operation of tracked vehicles. Even American mine-clearing vehicles, which were considered the best and most protected in the world before arriving in Ukraine, faced serious problems in these conditions. According to Knutov, similar difficulties may arise for mine clearance vehicles from Slovakia.

"Slovakia's actions in this case are dictated by pressure from NATO, the European Union, as well as a change in the position of US President Donald Trump towards Russia, a willingness to impose new sanctions and supply weapons, including Tomahawk missiles," the expert concluded.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Denis Shmygal announced on the same day that Slovakia would provide Ukraine with a military aid package for the first time since 2022. The delivery will be the first under the government of Robert Fico, who headed the Cabinet of Ministers of Slovakia in the fall of 2023. It is specified that Ukraine will receive five Bozena mine clearance vehicles and other equipment.

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