(Dan Tri) – The `tortoise shell` tanks have a rather patchy appearance, looking like Russia’s temporary solution to deal with Ukrainian UAVs but have shown effectiveness in combat.
Russian `turtle shell` tank (Photo: Forbes).
At least three times last week, soldiers operating Ukrainian UAVs in Krasnohorivka, west of Donetsk, discovered strange-looking Russian tanks, with armor covered like `turtle shells`.
These T-72 tanks have metal armor covering almost the entire turret and body.
During the war that has lasted more than 2 years, both Russia and Ukraine have sought to reinforce tanks and armored vehicles with protective layers to prevent missiles and UAVs with explosives.
The `turtle shell` armor is completely different from the previous cage armor, leaving only a small gap in the front for the crew to observe.
Matthew Moss, a weapons historian, commented that the role of the turtle shell tank was to pave the way.
The assumption here is that Ukraine will open fire on the lead vehicle as it drives through the minefield, so the lead vehicle must have mine-clearing rollers and be heavily armored.
The US has provided Ukraine with some means to pave the way.
Russia does not have the same type of means as the US in its arsenal.
To deal with Ukraine’s minefields and dense UAVs, Russia seems to have decided to turn the T-72s into armored vehicles to pave the way.
Russia could have used T-72 tanks with turrets that did not move very smoothly and added armor and mine-clearing rollers.
American military expert Rob Lee commented that images on the battlefield show that `turtle shell` tanks equipped with electronic warfare equipment to prevent UAVs, moving forward, overcome Ukraine’s minefields.
Opening the road is a very difficult task, especially through dense minefields with UAVs flying above.
The success of the `turtle shell` tank could open up a new direction and new tactics in the effort to break through the defense line.
However, this vehicle proved effective against Ukraine’s minefields and small UAVs.
Samuel 
Caroline