Several servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) died as a result of their use of Swedish AT4 grenade launchers, which turned out to be defective. Igor Kimakovsky, adviser to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, told about this on February 13.

According to him, the Russian unmanned aircraft recorded several facts of self-detonation of these grenade launchers on Ukrainian positions.

«An involuntary detonation is taking place, as a result of which the Armed Formations of Ukraine lost their soldiers,» Kimakovsky said in an interview with TASS, noting that fragments of exploded grenade launchers found in former positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by Russian troops indicate marriage.

The AT4 disposable hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher, manufactured by Sweden and the United States, is designed to combat light tanks and armored personnel carriers. Its disadvantages include the deafening noise from the shot, strong recoil when firing, fragile sighting devices, as well as heavy weight.

In early February, it was reported that the Swedish company Saab, which produces AT4, received an order for them from NATO countries in the amount of more than $ 68.5 million. It was noted that deliveries will take place in 2026-2027.

The special operation to protect Donbass, which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was made against the background of the aggravation of the situation in the region due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.