The Kozak-2 is a Ukrainian Practika 4x4 protected mobility vehicle built around an MRAP-style armored hull, troop transport capacity, and modular mission fits. Ukrainian forces adopted the vehicle during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, OSCE monitors documented Kozak-2 vehicles in the Donbas security zone before 2022, and Ukrainian reporting later recorded Kozak-2M1 deliveries to assault troops during the full-scale invasion phase.
Ukrainian Kozak-2 vehicles were documented by OSCE monitors in the Donbas security zone before 2022; Ukraine later delivered Kozak-2M1 vehicles to assault troops during the full-scale invasion phase, and Oryx visually documented Ukrainian Kozak-2 and Kozak-2M1 losses.
Role detailsKozak-2 fills a protected-mobility role rather than a tank or infantry fighting vehicle role. Sources describe it around troop movement, command-and-control, jamming, patrol, reconnaissance, special-mission, and mobile command-post configurations.
Published Kozak-2 reporting describes a driver, commander, and up to eight dismounts; Practika lists the Kozak-2M1 seating capacity as up to ten.
The family uses armored hull construction, mine-protection features, suspended seats, and STANAG protection ratings that differ by variant and source.
Sources describe turret or roof weapon options up to a 12.7 mm machine gun rather than a fixed heavy weapon common to every vehicle.
Public reporting and Practika product pages distinguish the original Kozak-2 from later Kozak-2M1 and Kozak-2M2 tactical variants, while keeping them inside the same Kozak protected-vehicle family.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kozak-2M1 | Tactical battlefield variant | Practika presents Kozak-2M1 as a tactical vehicle for combat missions directly on the battlefield, with independent suspension, STANAG 4569 Level 2 ballistic protection, and Level 3a/3b blast protection listed on the product page. Sources: Practika KOZAK 2M1 product page |
| Kozak-2M2 | Further Kozak-2 family variant | Practika lists Kozak-2M2 among its armored-vehicle product line alongside Kozak-2 and Kozak-2M1; detailed public specifications were not used for this record. Sources: Practika official homepage |
 | Adjacent Kozak family vehicle | Defense Express described a 2024 handover that included both Kozak-2M1 and Kozak-5 vehicles, while distinguishing Kozak-5 as a Ford F-550-based armored vehicle. Sources: Defense Express 2024 Kozak handover |
 | Later Kozak family vehicle | Defense Express reported Practika's Kozak-7 demonstration beside Kozak-2M1 and compared the newer armored vehicle with the already adopted Kozak-2M1. |
Published reporting treats roof armament as a fit on specific Kozak-2M1 configurations rather than a fixed weapon common to every Kozak-2 vehicle.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 12.7 mm heavy machine gun | Defence Blog reported a Kozak-2M1 roof-mounted turret fitted with a modernized 12.7 mm NSV for aimed fire against ground targets. |
Defense Blog reported Practika's statement that Kozak-2 was developed in 2015, passed state trials, and entered serial production for Ukrainian military customers.
Sources: Defence Blog 2017 Kozak-2 delivery
Army Recognition reported that the Practika-built Kozak-2 passed state tests and was adopted by the Ukrainian Army in March 2017.
Sources: Army Recognition 2020 Kozak-2 delivery
An OSCE Special Monitoring Mission UAV spotted two Kozak-2 armored personnel carriers near government-controlled Zaitseve in Donetsk region.
Sources: OSCE SMM 22 May 2019 report
Ukraine's NSDC reported that its secretary inspected Practika production of Kozak-2, Kozak-2M1, Kozak-001, Kozak-5, Bars-8, and armored minibuses under the state defense order.
Sources: NSDC Practika plant visit
UNIAN and Army Recognition reported Practika handing over more than forty Kozak-2 armored vehicles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine under a state defense order.
Sources: UNIAN 2020 Kozak-2 handover, Army Recognition 2020 Kozak-2 delivery
The Defense Post reported Ukrainian Army delivery of forty-four locally produced Kozak-2M1 armored vehicles during Armed Forces Day events.
Sources: The Defense Post 2021 Kozak delivery
Oryx's Ukrainian equipment-loss list records visually documented Kozak-2 and Kozak-2M1 losses after the February 2022 Russian full-scale invasion.
Sources: Oryx Ukrainian equipment losses
ArmyInform reported that Ukraine's defense minister and General Staff chief handed the 225th Separate Assault Battalion 15 Kozak-2M1 and 25 Kozak-5 armored vehicles.
Sources: ArmyInform 2024 Kozak handover
