With more than 41,000 combat troops and several thousand more volunteers, Ukraine’s army is reportedly possesses both a larger and more capable force than that of Russian-backed separatists, who number an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 troops, according to Reuters.

Both sides primarily carry small, Soviet-era arms including vintage Kalashnikov-variant rifles and light RPK machine guns. These old weapons are often customized by soldiers of both sides with add-ons such as custom scopes and silencers.

Both Ukrainian and separatist forces use tanks and anti-tank missiles, but the latter also possess modern 9K135 Kornet missiles, which are among the world’s deadliest anti-tank weapons.

Other sophisticated weapons exclusive to pro-Russian separatists include VSS sniper rifles, RPG-18 and RPO-A portable rocket launchers and MRO-A thermobaric launchers.

While Ukrainian troops now hold important positions at the center of territory occupied by the militants, the separatists control a 200-mile stretch of territory from the Black Sea to the Russian border. The launchers propel fuel-air explosive warheads and can be used against buildings, bunkers and lightly armoured vehicles.
The battle between Ukraine forces and separatists has killed more than 4,300 people and displaced 930,000 since April. Several cease-fire agreements have been signed, but have failed to stop the fighting.

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