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A simpler MRAP on the chassis of the Ural 4320 is the armoured personnel carrier variant known as Shchuka. This does not have a BPU-1 turret, but was custom-designed for transport of personnel, equipment and supplies. The hull roof has four upwards-hinging hatches, and two large doors at the rear, as well as a total of three ports on either side of the hull, enabling the passengers to fi ght from ‘under armour’, from within the combat compartment. While dozens of Shchukas and Chekans operated by PMCs remain in service in Syria and Africa, despite the addition of anti-mine trawls, their deployment in combat in Ukraine quickly demonstrated that they were much too vulnerable to the threat of mines, RPGs, and attack UAVs. Since 2023, many have been converted into trucks with armoured cabs. (Artwork by David Bocquelet)