Armed combatants in the Crimean peninsula. One of the GM-94 grenade launchers pictured is fitted with an EOTech-type holographic weapon sight. (Livejournal, original source unknown)

Recent images from the Russian seizure of the Crimean peninsula have highlighted the range of weaponry employed by Russian forces and combatants identified as either pro-Russian militias or private security contractors. Amongst these weapons is the GM-94, a pump-action grenade launcher chambered for a proprietary 43mm cartridge. These polymer-cased rounds are available in HE, HE-FRAG, thermobaric, illumination, smoke, and various less-lethal loadings. The GM-94 is fed from a three-round tubular magazine (3+1 capacity) located above the barrel, and the weapon features a double-action trigger and manual safety.

The presence of these weapons would be consistent with claims of Russian Special Forces (Spetsnaz) or Russian-backed private security contractors operating in the region. Regardless, it is important to note that the GM-94 has been observed in several other countries, including Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and even Libya.

GM-94 grenade launcher. (Alexander Garr)

Numerous other weapon systems have also been observed in the hands of pro-Russian forces in civilian clothes or unmarked uniforms, including AK-74M, AKS-74N, AKMS, and AS “Val” rifles, SVD, SVDS, and VSS sniper rifles, PKM and PKP machine guns, GP-25 and GP-30 under-barrel grenade launchers, and PP-9 “Klin” submachine guns. Many of these weapons have been fitted with post-production accessories, including rails, foregrips, PBS series suppressors, and various optics.

(This article is reproduced courtesy of Armament Research Services (ARES) – www.armamentresearch.com and was originally published on March 2, 2014.)