Movies and pictures have emerged on social media displaying the claimed first Ukrainian seize of a Russian so-called “turtle tank.” These lumbering monstorcities have added improvised armor panels encasing them to guard towards drones, particularly towards extremely maneuverable first-person view (FPV) kamikaze sorts. They first started showing on the battlefield in April.
A 76-second drone video was shot shortly after Ukraine managed to take the tank, which reportedly occurred this morning close to Klishchiivka in Donetsk Oblast. It reveals the make-shift metallic work that goes into including the outer shell. The video opens up with the drone’s view of the rear of the captured contraption. It had an inner metallic mesh throughout the again, an extra metallic display screen above it and assist bars traversing the size of the tank to assist the armor aspect and roof panels.
The video then cuts to a captured Russian soldier getting his arms tied behind his again. For a second, he turned his head seemingly to have a look at the drone.
The video then cuts to a wider view, displaying the turtle tank backing out of a treeline and motoring down a mud street. It ends with a better view, displaying the car sporting a Ukrainian flag whereas a Ukrainian soldier rides atop.
A second video reveals one other view because it rumbles down the street. You’ll be able to hear a Ukrainian soldier laughing over the noise because it passes by. Constantine (@Teoyaomiquu) – a Ukrainian fight veteran now residing in Texas who posted the video – instructed us he acquired it from troopers on the scene. He added that it’s was fairly removed from the entrance strains and unclear how the Russians drove it so far as they did undamaged.
A 3rd video reveals a better view of the tank, which seems to be in some form of storage space.
A separate picture reveals 4 smiling Ukrainian troopers standing in entrance of the tank. As you possibly can see, an added metallic panel on the entrance comes all the way down to the barrel, which is enclosed in rows of metallic slats that forestall unbiased movement. This implies your complete tank has to show to vary the path of any spherical fired. There may be extraordinarily restricted skill to lift or decrease the barrel to regulate for vary and elevation, as effectively.
The best way the movies and picture have been shot, with no clear view of the tank that’s fully enclosed contained in the added armor, it’s exhausting to determine the variant. Constantine and one other open supply observer steered it was a T-62.
Russia, as we’ve famous earlier than, has been utilizing these turtle tanks to steer armored assaults on better-defended Ukrainian positions, together with by way of minefields. The primary instance that emerged was fitted with a mine plow in entrance. That development continued with subsequent fashions. As such, they turned prime targets for FPV drones, absorbing the brunt of the punishment because it made its means throughout the open battlefield. Some have additionally been geared up with smoke screens to assist obfuscate tried advances. You’ll be able to see that in motion beneath.
Omni-directional counter-drone digital warfare jammers have additionally been a relative widespread fixture mounted atop Russian turtle tanks.
As we’ve beforehand reported, Russia has produced plenty of turtle tank iterations for the reason that first model was noticed and subsequently destroyed in a Ukrainian assault. You’ll be able to see that car within the picture beneath.
A number of appeared in mid-April with a shed-like metallic cowl on prime to assist shield towards drone assaults and one had the aforementioned EW gear. The Tweet beneath reveals pictures of that turtle tank.
By Might, video you possibly can see beneath emerged of Russian troops inside a turtle tank underway. It provides a transparent sense of the obstructed forward-facing view for its operators. That is created largely by the addition of the turtle-shell-like metal equipment that cocoons the tank beneath, proscribing the broader visibility of the crew. Whereas some turtle tanks have develop into more and more complicated of their design, others have appeared extraordinarily improvised in look, just like the as soon as captured by Ukrainian forces.
What Ukraine will do with the tank is unclear. Nonetheless, these are outdated tanks with armor plates crude welded to them, providing little or no actual intelligence worth past what sorts of scrap Russians are utilizing and different constructing methods employed to craft the turtle tank. An digital warfare system could be of a lot larger worth, particularly if it’s not one which has fallen into Ukrainian arms earlier than, however there is not proof of 1 seen within the images.
Regardless, it the turtle tank is an fascinating prize nonetheless, even only for its sheer novelty worth.
Contact the creator: howard@thewarzone.com
