(VIDEO) Russia’s “Turtle Tank” Makes Its Brief Appearance on the Ukrainian Front Lines

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Due to concerns over the threat posed by kamikaze drones and FPV (First Person View) drones from Ukraine, the Russian military has modified its T-72 tanks to the extent that they resemble a turtle.

Indeed, after their appearance on the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine conflict a few days ago, these T-72 tanks have been dubbed with various nicknames, including “turtle tank” and “Ninja Turtle tank.”

Thanks to the creativity of Russian military personnel, who painstakingly modified them, the Russian T-72 tanks are now equipped with iron plates resembling a turtle shell to protect them from the onslaught of kamikaze and FPV drones.

The “shell” of iron is designed to protect the entire body of the Russian T-72 tanks, with only their 125mm cannon visible.

Ukrainian military-operated surveillance drones detected the presence of the Russian “turtle tank” operating on the front lines in Krasnohorivka, west of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine.

 Not long after, Ukrainian drone operators tracked the “turtle tank” taking shelter in a hangar in the Petrovs’kyi district of Donetsk and destroyed it with artillery fire.

 It seems the lifespan of the Russian “turtle tank” was short-lived because its unique, turtle-like design attracted the attention of Ukrainian forces, who hunted it down and destroyed it.

The “shell” that gave the Russian T-72 tank its turtle tank moniker made it a target for Ukrainian forces, who quickly pursued and destroyed it before the “turtle tank” could prove the effectiveness of its shell in ensuring its safety.

According to international military observers, the emergence of the Russian “turtle tank” a few days ago is one of the most unique creations they have encountered throughout the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has been ongoing for the past three years.

Nevertheless, the creativity of Russian military personnel in modifying armored vehicles and assets to address the increasingly complex threats on the battlefield is commendable.

Not only did Russian military personnel equip their tanks with turtle-like shells, but they also outfitted their tanks with Electronic Warfare Systems to protect them from kamikaze and FPV drone attacks.

The Russian military has had to act swiftly to address the threat from Ukrainian kamikaze and FPV drones, as the destruction suffered by their tanks has been significant, as stated by Western military think tanks.

 According to the UK-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022, Moscow is believed to have lost approximately 3,000 tanks. — DSA