ZIL-131 with driver

Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Ukrainian Armed Forces operate a variety of military trucks. These are used for transporting personnel, ammunition, military cargo, and for towing artillery guns. The fleet includes modern vehicles of Ukrainian and Western production, as well as a significant number of trucks left over from the Soviet Union’s dissolution. One of these vehicles is the all-wheel-drive ZiL-131. Its production began in the late 1960s, and in 1986, a modernized version, the ZiL-131N, was introduced. The truck is known for its high reliability and excellent off-road capability. As of 2024, this vehicle remains in service with the Ukrainian Army as a multi-purpose general cargo truck. Drivers for these military trucks are trained at special courses and training centers, which include both theoretical and practical training on driving ranges. A key aspect of military vehicle operation is that drivers are fully equipped and armed while in the cab. The skills of a military driver are critical to both their own safety and that of their comrades. The battlefield can present many different scenarios, and military drivers must be able to react quickly to changing situations.