1 year ago
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Night vision equipment is one of the technical edges that Ukraine has held since early in the war. Not only has such gear been part of almost every Western military package sent to Ukraine since the invasion began, including the one most recently announced by the U.S., such tools were also sent by the U.S. before the invasion. Night vision gear was long recognized as one of those areas where the technology could give Ukraine a strategic advantage while still being sensitive to voices concerned about the U.S. providing heavy weaponry. So Ukrainian forces have had years of experience with tools like:
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the PVS-14 monocular that can be kept in a pocket, mounted on headgear, or used as a weapon sight, and
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Ground Panoramic Night Visions Goggles, which can be had on the civilian market for about $40,000 a pair. The GPNVG systems in particular give wearers a wide, clear view of the area and can make a night that’s so dark surroundings are invisible to the naked eye seem almost like noon.
It’s no wonder that Ukraine has made most of its advances this week in a series of night attacks. And no wonder that, as the next new moon approaches on June 18, Russian forces are growing increasingly nervous.
