Russia has been developing a series of turtle tanks, which are old tanks with drone-resistant armored shells installed on top of them. These tanks are being used in the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast. The most recent turtle tank spotted along the front line featured additional anti-drone defenses in the form of a cluster of radio jammers. The jammers are designed to block the radio signals drone operators use to steer their drones, which are equipped with explosives.
Despite the addition of jammers and armored shells, the turtle tanks have some serious flaws. The struts supporting the shells limit the tanks’ mobility and ability to rotate their turrets. Additionally, there are gaps between the tank and the shell that could allow skilled drone operators to navigate their drones through. Russian electronic warfare systems can also be unreliable, with some jammers being described as “makeshift” and “homemade.” Despite the efforts to protect the tanks from drones, a Ukrainian drone was still able to spot the turtle tank in action.
The turtle tanks have gained some notoriety on the battlefield, with one tank being tracked down by a Ukrainian drone team and targeted by artillery. It is likely that other turtle tanks may meet a similar fate if they are discovered by drones or targeted by Ukrainian forces. The Ukrainian army’s 12th Azov Brigade even organized a three-night raid to steal and inspect a disabled turtle tank’s jammers. Despite the technological advancements in the turtle tanks, they are still vulnerable to being detected and destroyed on the battlefield.
The use of turtle tanks highlights the ongoing technological warfare between Russia and Ukraine in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The development of these tanks and the countermeasures being used by both sides reveal the evolving nature of warfare in the modern era. The Russian military’s attempts to improve the design and capabilities of the turtle tanks are being closely monitored by Ukrainian troops, who are eager to understand and counter these new threats. The use of drones and electronic warfare systems adds a new dimension to the conflict and poses challenges for both sides in the ongoing conflict.
