[Harley]

Wow, that's pretty intense.  You can see the bodies flying through the air!

[22-TO kill]

man that's rilly cool

[HavHav]

I dont find that to be cool. Intense yes, but thats like saying 'that dead body is awesome'.

[Ninja]

That's really disturbing...

[Pancho]

All of the above descriptions apply. Unfortunately, that's what it really is.

[SHIFTY1944]

<img src="../forums/images/speech/icon_speech_wow.gif" border="0">Technology is so unfair.I'am so glad we have it!

[azsarge]

I beg to differ about the chechen thing.  I saw this video awhile back.  What is not pictured is the second bomb falling and hitting the already destroyed BRDM-3 (not a BMP, which have treads).  The video slowed to slo-mo after the first impact, showing the bomb or missile impact the existing crater.  I heard it was an F/A-18D that dropped them, but you know how the navy and air force are...   I also read the article in ARMY magazine (a relative recieves complimentary issues ), and it reinforced the Army controller bit.  Of course they could have alway had the wrong pic (although a rare occasion in that particular periodical).  Just thought I'd clear that up a bit, or provide a means to speculate  All I know for sure is that it's not a BMP!

[HavHav]

I saw it before, but I heard a totally different version of it. The site where I saw it posted said it was a US APC that was hit by Taliban forces. Which definatly doesnt look like an american APC. US guys usually dont ride on the top am I correct? And what kinda Taliban guy would have a video camera in battle? Do they even have anything that could take it out in such a fashion?

[Paco]

azsarge, the sequence of events did not involve the US forces at all.  In fact, this happened well before the US was even in Afghanistan - in early 2001 IIRC.  Mind if I ask where you got the idea that this was the work of an F/A 18?

That is a russian BTR-70 (or 80?) taken out by a Chechan rebel ambush.  The next sequence of pictures shows a Chechan/Islamist rebel holding the smoke blackened LUNG of a Russian soldier.  The lung, blown out of his body, was hanging on a stick that the Chech was holding.

Here:  http://www.strategypage.com/gallery/def ... slide1.htm  

Those are Russian uniforms in the first pic.

FYI, here's the video:  http://video.kavkazcenter.com/fight_in_ ... odriv1.wmv

[azsarge]

I stand corrected!  I read the article in the magazine described above.  It is clear that the captures were form this video, and not the described events.  My memory betrays me, as I just found the clip I was thinking of on my PC.  The vehicle designation is correct, Paco.  
HavHav, the Taliban, and other such groups often videotape the attacks for variuos reasons.  They often carry some sort of camera with them.  In the case of the Chechens, they tape it to show to whoever is paying them to carry out the attack.  Solid proof of success, I suppose.  
Rebels often use unexploded artillery shells as makeshift "mines".  They are detonated various ways, one of which is simply wiring an electric device and waitng behind a rock, or other cover to hand detonate the device.  The area where this fighting is taking place is a real nice area, and is littered with the debris of battle.  There are many unexploded mines, and shells, and bombs, etc that can be used to create such devices.

[Ninja]

Chechens aren't mercenaries, so I think they're taping their attacks for either propaganda or posterity.

[Raith]

Its got 4 axles... It looks like a BTR70 to me.  Where's Jeff when you need him? []

[HavHav]

Wheres this 'lung' your talking about? I dont really want to or need to see it. Im just cerious if the video was cut short.

[azsarge]

they still want their money.  Not all are mercenaries, but killing is their profession.  whether they are "soldiers" or mercs doesn't matter.  They supposedly don't get paid until proof of the attack is given.  All the article said is that the commander, or whatever you want to call him wants proof.  Video is the method of choice.

[Wolf]

I think the Chechens fight the Russians because they don't agree with each other, niether side is just a group of mercs. The commander might just want proof that his men made the attack, or as other have stated, they might want to use the video as propoganda.