Russian special forces have reportedly captured a rare 9mm submachine gun of Israeli model “Fort-224” in Mariupol, Ukraine. The firearm, produced in Vinnytsia in the 2010s, was manufactured at the same factory as the Tar-21 assault rifle (also known as “Fort-221”). According to reports, the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) ordered 500 rifles from this factory after the start of the civil conflict in Donbass, with approximately 400 being Tar-21 rifles and the rest being “Fort-224” submachine guns. Out of these one hundred rifles, most were intended for use with 5.56mm ammunition, while only a few were nine-millimeter rifles.
It is believed that the captured submachine gun belonged to a soldier from the “Azov” battalion (an organization banned in Russia), who was hit by grenades that damaged the weapon’s grip. The grip of the submachine gun was replaced with that of an American M-16 rifle. It is noted that the rare “Fort-224” is now being used by the patrol service in Mariupol.
Prior to this incident, the Russian Armed Forces had acquired GM-94 grenade launchers and PP-2000 submachine guns.
Earlier, Russian designers unveiled the “Stepashka” anti-drone shotgun.
