Russian tanks decimated by Ukrainian mines in new frontline strategy
Minefields have played a significant role during the war in Ukraine, inflicting severe losses on both sides and sometimes ultimately preventing effective offensives. A column of Russian military vehicles experienced horrible luck in this regard.
The fate of the Russian unit is documented in a recording shared online by the Russians themselves. There are speculations that the author of the video is likely a Russian commander with the call sign "Chelyabinsk," who was remotely coordinating the tank unit's actions.
The video shows Russian tanks advancing and navigating a minefield en route to Ukrainian positions. Although after the first mine detonation, "Chelyabinsk" received information about damage to one of the vehicles and an injured soldier, he ordered the tanks to continue driving through the minefield.
The attack command was later repeated when another mine destroyed a second unit tank. This resulted in a massive explosion, causing an ammunition detonation and the destruction of the vehicle.
The effective defeat of the Russian unit could be attributed to the Ukrainians using drones capable of carrying TM-62M anti-tank mines. This allows for the remote creation of mine barriers away from their positions.
TM-62M anti-tank mine
The TM-62M mine was developed in the Soviet Union as a pressure-activated anti-tank mine. It is 33 centimetres in diameter, 13 centimetres in height, and 10 kilograms in weight, with 3 kilograms attributed to the TNT charge.
Unlike modern side-attack mines that can target distant vehicles with specific properties, the TM-62M requires direct pressure (the fuse activates under at least 150 kilograms) or, due to the magnetometer, the presence of a large metallic object is nearby to detonate.
The TM-62M also has safety mechanisms to prevent removal, utilizing a gyroscope and accelerometer and attempting to move or lift an armed mine results in its detonation.
