Ukraine uses Turkish Cobra II on Russia’s Kursk region
Otokar Cobra II's are in Kursk region of Russia, being used by the Ukrainian army. (Photo via X)
Although there has been no official confirmation from either side, it appears that Cobra II armored vehicles, produced by Otokar in Türkiye, are actively being used by the Ukrainian Army.
Unlike what might appear in your mind when you hear Cobra, these are land-based armored vehicles and they are being domestically built by Turkish defense manufacturer Otokar.
First sighting of Turkish cobra II’s
The first appearance of these vehicles was reported on April 13, 2023, when video footage of Otokar’s COBRA II 4×4 Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicles recorded in Romania went viral on social media.
The video, which can be found on Twitter, aka the X, shows approximately 20 brand-new COBRA II 4×4 Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicles being loaded onto open carriages of a train, allegedly traveling north through a railway crossing in Bacau, Romania. Social media users speculated that the train in question was heading to Ukraine.
While it remains unclear where the armored vehicles were ultimately delivered that day, by the end of the day, both Ukraine and Romania had become users of Otokar Cobra IIs.
Otokar secured a tender from the Romanian Ministry of Defense for the procurement of 4×4 Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicles.
This procurement program includes the acquisition of 1,059 vehicles in 9 different configurations to equip various elements of the Romanian Ministry of National Defense. The estimated purchase cost of these 1,059 vehicles is approximately $1 billion, excluding VAT.
On Aug. 19, 2024, footage surfaced on X, reportedly showing the first confirmed sighting of the Turkish Cobra II Medical Evacuation Vehicle in active service with the Ukrainian Army.
This sighting, captured in a video from the Kursk region, marks a significant development in Ukraine’s military evacuation capabilities, particularly in medical evacuation operations.
The Cobra II, developed by the Turkish defense manufacturer Otokar, represents a new chapter in the ongoing military support Ukraine has received amid its conflict with Russia.
The sighting of the Cobra II in Ukraine has sparked discussions and raised questions about the origins and legitimacy of these vehicles within the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Cobra II Export to Ukraine
Notably, neither Ukrainian nor Turkish authorities have officially confirmed any arms supply agreement with Türkiye regarding the Cobra II. Similarly, Türkiye has not made public statements about this potential arms delivery.
Türkiye mostly allows the sale of defensive weapons in its arms sales to Ukraine.
Kraken Regiment, the special forces unit of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence, posing with Turkish-made Otokar Cobra II tactical vehicle on the frontline.
Special Detachment Kraken is a separate reconnaissance and sabotage unit of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. The unit was formed by veterans of the Azov Regiment shortly after the Russian full-scale invasion in February 2022.
It was established based on the 225th and 226th Territorial Defense Battalions of the 127th Territorial Defense Brigade. In August 2023, Azov-Kharkiv left the structure of the unit and joined the 60th Mechanized Brigade.
According to unofficial allegations, 20 such vehicles were donated to Ukraine by Türkiye in April 2023.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that some of these Cobra IIs are being used by the Sheikh Mansur Battalion, a volunteer Chechen unit formed in 2014 by a civil organization called “Free Caucasus” as a second Chechen volunteer battalion.
This battalion closely cooperated with the Ukrainian Volunteer Corps and later became part of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army.
In 2020, the battalion left the frontline. The unit returned to active service immediately after the Russian full-scale invasion in 2022 and was assigned under the command of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian army appears to be quite satisfied with the Otokar Cobra IIs deployed in Ukraine, as additional vehicles in different configurations have been observed in use by Ukraine after the initial delivery.
Türkiye as balancing act
Türkiye’s involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict has been characterized by a delicate balancing act between maintaining diplomatic ties with Russia and supporting Ukraine militarily.
Türkiye as a Balancing Act Türkiye’s involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict has been characterized by a delicate balancing act between maintaining diplomatic ties with Russia and supporting Ukraine militarily.
Despite its role as a NATO member and a mediator in the conflict, Türkiye has supplied Ukraine with various military assets, including Bayraktar TB2 drones, Kirpi armored personnel carriers, Cobra II vehicles and more.
In April 2023, Türkiye reportedly donated 20 Cobra II vehicles to Ukraine’s Kraken Regiment, a special forces unit of Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence.
This donation further solidifies Türkiye’s strategic position as both a mediator and a military supporter of Ukraine, leveraging its unique geopolitical standing to influence the conflict’s dynamics.
Unlike other NATO members, Türkiye has opted for a more discreet approach to its military support for Ukraine. Most of the military assets delivered to Ukraine, including the Cobra II, have only become known through sightings and reports from Ukrainian sources.
This strategy allows Türkiye to navigate its complex relationship with Russia while still providing substantial support to Ukraine’s defense efforts.
Türkiye’s military aid to Ukraine extends beyond government actions. Companies like Baykar Tech have played a crucial role in supporting Ukraine, donating Bayraktar TB2 drones and other military equipment.
This investment in military production facilities significantly boosts Ukraine’s capabilities and its future in the ongoing conflict.
Otokar Cobra II’s specification
The Cobra II is a Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicle produced by Otokar, one of Türkiye’s largest privately owned industrial companies.
According to Otokar, the COBRA II is suitable for all types of conditions in residential and rural locations and performs even in the most difficult terrain.
The Cobra II has a carrying capacity of 10 personnel, including the driver, and provides greater protection to personnel than its predecessor, the Cobra, because of enhanced ballistic, mine, and IED protection.
The COBRA II, with its optional amphibious capability and a wide range of weapon integration and mission equipment options, is suitable for various mission types, including urban and peacekeeping operations. The vehicle features a monocoque structure, lacks a chassis, and is fully armored.
The Cobra II has a total length of 6.4 meters, a width of 2.5 meters, and a weight of 13 tons. Powered by a 360-horsepower turbocharged diesel engine, the vehicle can reach a top speed of 110 kilometers/hour (68.3 miles/hour) and can handle 60% steep slopes and 30% side slopes.
Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with an internal and external fire suppression system to combat fires that may occur in the personnel or engine compartments.
