The Ukrainian military has found effective methods to combat a new type of armored vehicle employed by Russian forces, known as the “turtle tank.” These tanks, which are essentially older models like the T-62, T-72, or T-80 equipped with makeshift armored shells made from materials like roofing sheets, grates, and mesh, were introduced onto the battlefields as part of Russia’s ongoing military operations against Ukraine.
Originally designed to shield against Ukrainian first-person-view (FPV) drones, the turtle tanks featured metal shells that provided a degree of protection from aerial drone assaults. These adaptations were believed to enhance the tanks’ survivability on the front lines, allowing them to advance with fewer risks from above.
Another video of a Russian turtle tank with a mine trawl attached to it is flying around international channels pic.twitter.com/b1sP7HXtmC
— S p r i n t e r F a c t o r y (@Sprinterfactory) May 8, 2024
However, the effectiveness of these modifications has been increasingly challenged. Recent engagements have seen several turtle tanks destroyed by Ukrainian forces, who have adapted their tactics and weaponry. The introduction of heavier artillery and missile systems, bolstered by a $1.4 billion infusion of munitions from the Pentagon and additional supplies from the Czech Republic, has altered the tactical environment.
Russian turtle tank cooks off. pic.twitter.com/9tBFTcbO9f
— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 15, 2024
The turtle tanks, while initially providing a solution to drone attacks, have proven vulnerable to larger, more powerful ordnance. Artillery rounds and heavier missiles have successfully penetrated the makeshift armor, often causing catastrophic damage to the tanks and their crews. The design of the tanks, which restricts visibility and mobility, has also become a liability, trapping crews inside or limiting their ability to maneuver under fire.
13.05.24
Abandoned 🇷🇺T-62MV MBT turtle tank equipped with KMT-6 near the settlement of Krasnohorivka, Donetsk region
Source:https://t.co/68wQEKQKBI#UkraineWar #UkraineFrontLines #warfootage #lost_warinua pic.twitter.com/vqwNlwln4r
— lost_warinua (@lost_warinua) May 15, 2024
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