In early January 2026, a video released by UNITED24 Media offered a rare, close-up look at the combat gear of a soldier from the Azov International Battalion, part of Ukraine’s renowned 12th Special Forces Brigade “Azov” of the National Guard. Filmed just 15 kilometers from the front line, the footage features an experienced fighter known by the callsign “Tuga” breaking down his personal kit for both assault and defensive operations. The presentation highlights not only the functionality of each item but also the substantial financial investment required to achieve modern battlefield effectiveness.
Azov soldiers, operating in some of the war’s most intense sectors, rely on a mix of Ukrainian-made equipment, Western optics, and volunteer-supplied enhancements. While state-issued basics form the foundation, elite units like Azov frequently augment their gear through donations and private funding to incorporate advanced protection, optics, and communications—items critical in a conflict dominated by drones, artillery, and close-quarters combat.
Core Components of the Kit
The soldier’s primary weapon is a UR-15 rifle (a Ukrainian modular AR-15 platform), equipped with high-end accessories:
- EOTech holographic sight and magnifier for rapid target acquisition.
- A multi-function PEQ-style laser device (green visible laser, IR laser, white flashlight, and IR illuminator).
- Bipod, suppressor, customizable sling, and backup iron sights.
Tuga estimates the rifle with its full suite of optics and attachments costs around $450–500 alone.
Body armor consists of a Ukrainian-made Fort Vanaset vest combined with a Real Defense plate carrier. It includes ceramic plates (front and sides) for ballistic protection and Kevlar soft armor in the back to stop shrapnel. The helmet, also domestically produced, features mounts for night vision devices and additional lighting (white, red, and IR).
Protection extends to multiple tourniquets (4–6 carried for rapid access), grenades (at least three on the vest, more in the backpack), and a sidearm—a Fort Vanaset pistol (described humorously as a “Glock for poor people”).
Communications include a radio with earpiece, while other essentials like a Leatherman multi-tool, admin pouch (with compass and pen), and mission-specific backpack complete the loadout. The total carried weight ranges from 15–20 kg, varying by mission—assault kits prioritize mobility with less water (3 liters), while defensive setups allow for more (up to 5 liters).
Backup redundancies are emphasized: configurable slings to prevent weapon loss during artillery strikes, and constant wear of body armor due to pervasive shrapnel risks.
The Price of Survival and Effectiveness
According to Tuga, a minimal protective setup (vest, plates, and helmet) starts at around $2,000, rising to $2,500 with full integration. Adding the equipped rifle and other essentials pushes the total value of a complete individual kit to approximately $10,000.
This figure aligns with broader trends for elite Ukrainian units. Many soldiers in specialized roles rely on volunteer and nonprofit support to acquire premium items like advanced optics, night vision, radios, and drone countermeasures—gear often not fully covered by standard military supply chains. Estimates from organizations supporting frontline troops suggest that fully outfitting an elite fighter with cutting-edge protection and tools can exceed $20,000 when including thermal mitigation suits and electronic warfare devices.
In a war where drones have transformed the battlefield, such investments are not luxuries but necessities. Basic state-issued equipment provides a foundation, but the difference between survival and vulnerability often lies in these privately funded upgrades.
The UNITED24 video underscores a practical reality: modern warfare demands heavy, expensive, and meticulously chosen gear. For soldiers like those in Azov, operating near the front with limited resupply, every dollar spent on quality equipment translates directly to combat capability—and lives saved.
As the conflict enters its fourth year, these breakdowns serve as a reminder of the ongoing need for international support, not just in weapons but in the individual tools that allow Ukrainian defenders to hold the line.
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