Despite the success of the BMD-1 airborne IFV, it was not seen as an effective troop transport. As a result, a specialized airborne APC was designed from it, this becoming the BTR-D (Bronetransportyor Desanta). Compared to the BMD-1, the BTR-D has a longer chassis and six rather than five roadwheels. It had a different hull top and was not equipped with a turret but otherwise shared the same automotive components. Construction is made of all-welded aluminum, with a dual-slanted angled hull top. Up to 10 infantry could be carried in the rear troop compartment, with as many as nine firing ports throughout the vehicle. Two bow-mounted 7.62-mm guns are the sole fixed armament, though in combat conditions the bow gunners typically deploy with the infantry. It is fully amphibious as well, and has NBC protection capability. Aside from the basic APC version, the BTR-D can also be used as a towing vehicle for anti-aircraft guns, maintenance, anti-tank, recovery and repair, air defense, and command post. It is also the basis for a self-propelled mortar. First seen by the West during the Soviet Afghanistan War, it was passed on to various former Soviet republics and remains in service with Russian airborne units today.

The BTR-D (Obyekt 925) began production in 1974 and is the basic APC version. An unarmed cargo transport is known as the BTR-DG. The BTR-RD 'Robot' is an ATGM carrier equipped with the 9M111 or 9M113 missiles. An air defense vehicle is the BTR-ZD with ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns. A self-propelled mortar is known as the 2S9 Nona-S and is armed with a 120-mm 2A60 mortar.