Ivan Talks Trucks
Table of Contents 📖
"These cars, they are normal civilian cars. They have not been made for the war. We've been made to serve on the farm, but because we have a war, we started adapting things. And again, it's about the balance."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:06⏩
Jonathan is with Ivan, stood in front of a truck that is being prepared for deployment to the frontline. This truck had previously been deployed and had been returned for repairs.
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Evidence of Previous Deployment
🎦 00:06-00:19⏩
The truck was deployed about a year ago. Whilst the roads are not the best on the front lines, the truck has survived. Although there are bullet holes visible all over the truck, it is otherwise intact.
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Vehicle Deployment Rate
🎦 00:19-01:14⏩
Jonathan asks Ivan how many vehicles a month they provide. Ivan estimates that his organisation is providing around 17-18 vehicles per month, approximately 4 per week.
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Repairing Damaged Vehicles
🎦 01:14-01:44⏩
Damaged vehicles are returned and repaired by Ivan's organisation. Typically the vehicles are funded and sourced independently but on occasion donations are received from people they know to fund repairs.
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Showcasing Success and Collaboration
🎦 01:44-02:09⏩
Jonathan points out the importance of highlighting that this vehicle was deployed to the front line, returned, repaired and is ready to be redeployed. Jonathan also makes the point that everyone who was in the truck is still alive which is a testament to the work that Ivan and his organisation does. Jonathan is clearly impressed with Ivan and his organisation.
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Armour versus Weight Considerations
🎦 02:09-03:08⏩
Jonathan asks Ivan why this particular truck had rocket launcher tubes fitted to the back but no armour on the doors, like the one they are stood in front of. Ivan explains that this is due to weight restrictions. The vehicles they source are civilian vehicles not military ones and as such were not designed for war. Because of this, they have to be very careful about the amount of weight they add when they are adapting them. This is a constant balancing act. Adding rocket launchers to this vehicle would add around 1000kg to the vehicle and the additional armour would add a further 300kg. Although this would make the vehicle strong and "cool looking", it would quickly become unusable. Ivan explains that it's important to stick within the manufacturers weight limits.
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Wrap up
🎦 03:08-03:29⏩
Jonathan thanks Ivan for his time and praises him for the work he is doing, stating that both Silicon Curtain and ATP Geopolitics are proud to be supporting his work. Jonathan is relieved and happy that Ivan was able to leave Ukraine to do this interview.
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