Crews are adapting vehicles and tactics to the changed conditions.
During the offensive in the Pokrovsky direction, the infantry is supported by tankers with fire, despite the unprecedented density of the use of kamikaze drones by the enemy. Armored vehicles operate both from closed firing positions and coming to direct fire with the support of armored groups going on the assault. Izvestia learned about how combat work is going on and how the armor of tanks is being reinforced, adapting to modern threats, in the tank division of the Center group.
How to strengthen the protection of tanks
The T-72B3M tanks have recently replaced the T-80 gas turbine units in the Central Military District mining division. Even in its original, factory-made form, this modification already has additional tower protection from above. At the beginning of the special military operation, such metal grating structures were common on Russian tanks, they were made by repair units and sometimes even reinforced with sandbags. At that moment, the main threat to our vehicles was the third-generation anti-tank missile systems supplied to Ukraine, such as the American Javellin. Earlier, during the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, where tanks of various generations faced the massive use of such anti-tank systems and kamikaze drones, their vulnerability to attack from above became apparent, and it was taken into account in many units. Very quickly, first in the press, and then in the military, the rigid structures of the additional anti-accumulation protection of the tower began to be called mangalami.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Both the number and effectiveness of the third-generation ATGM in the Ukrainian army turned out to be somewhat exaggerated. At the first stage, many complexes that were hastily supplied to Ukraine did not have sufficiently prepared calculations and had expired batteries. Also, the Ukrainian militants were unable to develop tactics for their use in combat. Therefore, although these types of weapons posed a great danger to armored vehicles at the initial stage of their military operations, they generally did not have the effect that was expected in Ukraine and in NATO countries. But the evolution of kamikaze drones has made them one of the most important threats to tanks.
— We have installed a dome for the mango. We make it out of fiberglass reinforcement for flexibility, so that the drone does not detonate, but gets entangled in the nets or springs off them. And under the dome there is already a strong frame, which is called a "barbecue", with dynamic protection on top of it. And, of course, electronic jamming devices of various types are installed both on the roof and at the back. They are installed immediately before departure," says Private Grigory Gurenko, commander of the tank of the Center group.
His tank, covered by a "dome", is more often used to work from closed firing positions. This protection allows you to withstand repeated hits from FPV drones and retains the ability to rotate the tank turret around the entire circumference. To move stealthily and stay in intermediate parking spots, the tank's hull is covered with an additional camouflage kit that reduces the visibility of the vehicle in the infrared spectrum. It is IR cameras that are often used by night drones to search for targets. One of the commanders tells of a case when he himself could not immediately detect his camouflaged tank, observing its movements from the air.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— Our crew is currently focused on firing from closed positions. We haven't been let out on a direct tip yet, it requires more experience. It's actually not difficult: you look at the terrain features and disguises. The main thing is to set the tank correctly in the direction of fire, lift the nose a little so that it settles properly," explains Grigory.
Private Gurenko joined the army on mobilization and began his military career in the same specialty in which he served as a sniper scout. When signing the contract, he expressed a desire to become a tanker, after training he took up the position of a gunner-operator, and later became a commander.
— Before the mobilization, I worked as a cook in restaurants in the city of Krasnoyarsk. I have experience in cooking, but this job is already boring. And I don't like cooking in conditions like here, I'm used to having everything like in professional kitchens, so I didn't have the desire to remain a chef in the service," Grigory explains his choice of combat specialties, despite the fact that experienced chefs are always appreciated in any military team.
How has the tactics of tank units changed?
Nikolai Kirsanov, commander of the tank platoon of the Center group, says that tactics and management of tank units have changed today. Even junior commanders often need to deploy full-fledged command posts in conditions where platoon vehicles are scattered across different remote positions and operate separately. The platoon commander commands directly from his combat vehicle in cases where the platoon is acting on direct fire during the offensive.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— When I was a tank commander, I went out as part of armored groups, started infantry fighting vehicles. And as a platoon commander, I haven't had that kind of experience yet. In our military, the tactics of tank combat have changed, and based on experience, we are constantly adapting and thinking ahead," says Nikolai Kirsanov. He explains that the contacts between the departments are well established and there is a constant exchange of experience in the specialty.
— The Dome is an invention, let's say, of our chief engineer in the battalion. He invested a lot of effort and thought over this design. A man with experience, repeatedly rolled out to direct fire, and worked from closed firing positions. He is a welder by training. And each of us added something a little bit," says Nikolai about how the tuning of tanks in their division is changing.
Rean Istomin, a gunner operator, recently returned from combat work near Pokrovsk, where he destroyed enemy fortifications on the very outskirts of the city. He proved himself well in the first combat missions in the ability to fire from closed firing positions and specializes in this type of action. The 21-year-old bashner signed a contract almost immediately after his military service and went to his military service area.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— Since childhood, I studied in cadet schools with a patriotic bent. I saw that Nazism was waking up again, something that our grandfathers fought against. And I couldn't stay away," Rean explains his decision.
Dmitry Astrakhan
