The eighth and last in the series of Project 58150 small armored gunboats is spotted in Kyiv, on Dnipro River.

According to The Militarny’s own sources, the boat is currently at the final test stage.

After the tests, it’s going to be named Bucha.

Gyurza-class gunboat Bucha should become the flagship of the Kyiv division of the river flotilla.

Bucha’s construction began in 2019 by the Kuznya na Rybalskomu (Kyiv) enterprise. It was reported that the production of the gunboat had been ordered by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and would last four months. However, in December 2020, all work was suspended. The plant constructed a hull for the future gunboat, other activities were stoped.

On July, 2021 the work on the boat was renewed. A hull was formed on the new ship and some units were also installed, in particular the main power engines. The installation of equipment on the wheelhouse and the assembly of the living compartment also began.

The boat was launched on September 30, 2021 at the Kuznya na Rybalskomu (Kyiv) enterprise.At first, it was supposed to join the Ukrainian Navy, but these plans were postponed due to the war in Ukraine.

Project 58150 gunboat

Project 58150 (codename “Gyurza-M”) small armored artillery boats are designed by the State Research and Design Shipbuilding Center and are manufactured at the Kuznya na Rybalskomu enterprise, located in Kyiv.

They are designed to keep watch along the coastal sea strip. The boats’ tasks include: patrolling, fighting against small-sized enemy vessels, protecting coastal facilities and structures, as well as assisting landing and border groups.

The weapon of the boat is two Katran-M combat modules, which is the naval version of the Sturm combat module installed on the BTR-3. The modules are equipped with a ЗТМ-1 30mm automatic gun, a КBА-117 30mm automatic grenade launcher and a KT 7.62mm machine gun, as well as two Barrier ATGMs.

River Flotilla

Militarnyi reported that the naval forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine created a river flotilla on the Dnipro River. The first division of the future flotilla was formed in the north of the country.

The River Boat Division was established in March 2021 with the initiative and support of the Ground Forces Command of Ukraine.

Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa said that the newly formed division is subordinate to the Kyiv Defense Forces to ensure the support of forces in the doomed operational areas that operate near the Dnipro River.