RUSSIA has deployed its weirdest battle tank of the war so far as it comes built with a whole house around it and even a chimney.
Vladimir Putin, who has shown signs of paranoia, has had to make adjustments to his outdated war equipment that dates back to the Soviet era. This comes after his unsuccessful military campaign in Ukraine which has lasted for over three years.
Footage has now emerged of a bizarre Russian “Turtle Tank” that is often seen protected with an extra layer of protection on the battlefield.
The tank appears to have wooden logs built all around it while the top is covered with a thick tarpaulin – just like a dodgy wooden cottage.
There are two sets of headlights at the front and a strange pipe-looking structure understood to be a chimney peeking out of the roof.
Underneath the protective casing is reportedly a rusting Russian T-80 tank from the Soviet times.
The ad hoc armour is an attempt at shielding Vlad’s dwindling troops against Kyiv’s drones and anti-tank missiles.
However, even after desperate measures, the Russians are unable to protect the tanks against crack Ukrainian troops.
Footage shows a bomb dropping from above – likely from a drone – and completely obliterating the battle machine.
Within seconds, the tank goes up in flames.
This is not the first time Russia has been forced to deploy such desperate measures.
In a bid to cover up the embarrassing fact that Putin had lost a significant number of tanks during the invasion of Ukraine, Russian tanks are now being equipped with shell-like cages for protection.
Prior to the somber annual milestone of Putin’s ongoing war, the Russian military leaders have been compelled to make use of old stockpiles of vehicles from the Cold War era which are stored in numerous warehouses.
The weird modifications are part of Moscow’s desperate attempt to shield armoured vehicles from first-person-view (FPV) drones, which have become a battlefield menace.
One clip showed the moment several of Putin’s “turtle tanks” were reduced to flames by Ukraine in a series of striking battles.
And a series of short clips showed the chunky tanks being blown up left right and centre with pinpoint accuracy.
In a matter of seconds, Ukraine’s 92nd Assault Brigade managed to hit each tank and set it alight as numerous explosions took place on the battlefield.
One video even shows Putin’s scrambling forces fleeing the box-looking tank as Kyiv had their aims on them.
The move comes as Russia and Ukraine engage in an escalating game of drone warfare, with both sides rapidly adapting to counter each other’s tactics.
FPV drones have proved devastating, especially against older armoured vehicles, as they can hit where defences are weakest—on top.
VLAD’S DESPERATE TANK DESIGNS
This is far from the first time Putin’s forces have resorted to makeshift solutions.
Last year, Russian troops were spotted rolling into battle with bizarre “turtle tanks”.
The Soviet-era T-80s were covered in steel sheds and chain fringes in a bid to survive drone and missile attacks.
The hulking vehicles, which debuted in Donetsk Oblast, became a symbol of Russia’s reliance on ageing Cold War-era equipment.
While the thick metal plates provided some protection, they also severely limited visibility for the crew, leaving them vulnerable to Ukrainian strikes.
What are Russian Turtle Tanks?
TURTLE Tanks generally refer to tanks with a heavily armored, low-profile design resembling the shape of a turtle.
The term isn’t specific to a single model but can describe various tanks known for their strong armor and defensive capabilities.
One prominent example is the German Panzer VIII Maus, the heaviest fully enclosed armoured fighting vehicle ever built.
Another is the Soviet KV-2, known for its thick armour and large turret.
The design philosophy behind these tanks focuses on maximum protection and survivability on the battlefield, often at the cost of speed and mobility.
