BTR-82A used in drills for the first time?

via Sputnik

Russian troops used the BTR-82As armored personnel carriers for the first time during drills in Tajikistan, an aid to the commander of Russia's Central Military District said Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — There is a number of significant differences between the new BTR-82As and their predecessors, the commander noted. The armored vehicles’ firepower has been increased due to a 30-mm aircraft cannon being installed, while high angle barrel lifting allows for a more efficient attacks in mountainous areas.

“Soldiers stationed in Tajikistan as part of the 201st Military Base used the new BTR-82As for the first time during maneuvers in the foothills of the Eastern Pamirs,” Col. Yaroslav Roschupkin told reporters.
The motorized infantry troops managed to strike targets at a distance of 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) and 1.7 kilometers on complex terrain, Roschupkin added.

Sputnik must have been needing to fill space on their website.  This vehicle is one of the "winners" of the Russian involvement in the Syrian war.  They deployed this vehicle early and from the outside looking in, they must have
gotten it right.  While we've seen modifications of their attack helicopters, these armored vehicles remain unchanged and are getting sent out to their troops. It will be interesting to see how quickly they get their new wheeled IFVs into service when the legacy models seem to be performing well.