Italian Puma Armored Vehicles Now Deployed with Ukrainian Forces
Evidence has emerged indicating Italy is providing undisclosed military support to Ukraine,with Italian-made Puma armored vehicles now in active service with the Ukrainian army. The deployment was first revealed not through official announcements, but through battlefield footage surfacing in April 2024, specifically showing a destroyed vehicle in the Lugansk region.
The Puma,available in both 6×6 and 4×4 configurations,was originally designed to accompany Centauro B1 wheeled tanks,but is now being utilized by Ukrainian infantry units. Each vehicle is crewed by two soldiers - a driver and a gunner – with capacity for additional personnel in the rear compartment. The 4×4 version can carry two soldiers, while the 6×6 variant can transport up to four.
These vehicles weigh 7 tons (4×4) and 8.2 tons (6×6) respectively. Their armor provides protection against small-caliber weapons, and they are equipped with either 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns or remotely controlled weapon stations.While the exact number of Puma vehicles delivered to Ukraine remains unknown, their limited sightings suggest the quantity is currently small. Further deliveries, perhaps linked to the deployment of centauro B1 tanks, are a possibility. Italy has not publicly acknowledged providing these armored vehicles to Ukraine.
