Russia's 'armored turtles'. Scrap metal tanks battle in Ukraine

During the last assault in the Krasnohorivka region, the Russians deployed unusually modified vehicles that appeared straight out of the Mad Max universe or reminiscent of the GLA faction from Command & Conquer: Generals. These armored creations, akin to something Frankenstein might have engineered, play a vital role for the Russians.

This adaptation is designed to offer protection against FPV-type drones armed with the simplest PG-7VL single-warhead grenades. These grenades can penetrate roughly 20 inches of armored steel because their explosion occurs a few centimeters from the tank's primary armor.

The Russian Frankensteins support and transport infantry, thus acting as a hybrid between a tank and an armored transporter. Space for the assault group is located at the rear, behind the turret on the engine cover, and the makeshift scrap armor provides some degree of protection for the transported soldiers from artillery shrapnel.

The Russian "armored turtle" will likely deliver an airborne assault to a specific region and support it with direct firepower since the additional armor restricts the turret's lateral movement. Usually, such tasks are accomplished by tanks working in unison with infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs).

In Ukraine, there are numerous recordings, including those of M2A2 Bradley ODS crews supporting their airborne assaults or T-72 tank sorties being supported by infantry and coordinated with drones. However, successfully executing these tactics requires well-trained and coordinated soldiers, which may be challenging for the Russians due to the losses incurred.

Additionally, there are reports of difficulties within the Russian forces in producing or restoring Soviet-era IFVs to working conditions. Consequently, in some units, such vehicles are created from whatever materials are available.