Ukrainian expert: Russian “turtle tanks” may become problematic on the battlefield
Russia is upgrading its tanks with metal structures to protect against drones, but these changes may negatively affect the running gear, potentially leading to breakdowns. This was reported by Ivan Kirychevskyi, a serviceman of the 413th “Raid” regiment and an expert on armaments at Defense Express.
From the beginning of 2025, the Russian army has about 1800 tanks in service, which averages one tank per kilometer of the front line, Kirychevskyi noted. Assessing these figures, the expert pointed out the impracticality of such tank-based strategies in modern conditions. According to him, concentrating significant tank units for attack is extremely difficult for the Russians.
Russian tanks, upgraded in the form of so-called “turtle tanks,” appear on the battlefield to combat Ukrainian drones, but they often become easy targets. Occupiers, seeking to protect their tanks, build metal structures on them. However, these innovations lead to stress on the running gear, complicating repairs and potentially causing malfunctions.
Kirychevskyi also noted that despite protective mechanisms, hitting a “turtle tank” on the first try is quite difficult. Moreover, there is one “turtle tank” per nine regular vehicles in a company of Russian troops. He added that various countries worldwide are also trying to find effective technologies to protect tanks from drones.
The military unit “Raid” recently destroyed a “turtle tank” on one of the active fronts. They reinforce columns of armored vehicles during mechanized assaults.
| Country | Number of Tanks | Defense Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | 1800 | “Turtle” Modernization |
| Ukraine | Confidential | Innovative Solutions |
