French
DeutschTurtle tank
The Tsar Mangal (Russian: Царь-мангал,[1] Tsar Mangal, lit: King's Grill) or Turtle Tank refers to Armored Fighting Vehicles that were fabricated from T-62, T-72 and T-80 tanks used by Russian Forces, and modified with extensive improvised steel roof and siding, as well as copious amount of anti-drone slat armor which cover the sides and rear of the host tank. The heavily modified armored fighting vehicles were spotted in action in early April 2024 in Krasnohorivka[2] on the battlefield of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Equipped with extensive electronic warfare, these tanks resemble moving barns with turrets sticking out, making them a large and unusual sighting within the battlefield[3][4] Newer models are equipped with KMT 7 mine-clearing rollers with electromagnetic mine detector/trawl (Russian: Электромагнитный Тральщик Приставка ЭМТ.) [1]
Name
[edit]The main Russian term for these vehicles is Tsar Mangal, derived from the Russian slang "mangal" for anti-drone slat armor, in an analogy with other large weapons such as the Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bomba.
Most western sources denote it as the "turtle tank" for their unusual turtle shell appearance.[4] Ukraine military also dubbed it a "mobile barn".[5] Other monikers include ‘blyatmobile’ (Блятьмобиль)[6] and ‘assault garage’ (штурмовые гараж).[7]
Effectiveness
[edit]
The Tsar Mangal is considerably effective at its purpose as a combat breacher and a demining vehicle, with claims by russian sources of multitudes of exploits while using it to defeat Ukrainian defensive positions, especially proven in its first use in Krasnohorivka.[8] Despite this, it suffers setbacks, with footage of the damaged turtle tanks appearing as it was increasingly utilized in combat roles.[9] The major drawbacks come mainly from its barnlike structure, including poor visibility and mobility, as well possessing a non-rotating turret. It reportedly serves well as a demining vehicle during armoured assaults,[4][3] but still can be damaged by mines and artillery.[10] Despite these vulnerabilities, the tanks were effective against Ukrainian forces, mainly from their armor making them nearly invulerable to FPV drones extensively used by Ukrainian forces (sometimes serving as substitutes for artillery due to munitions shortages).[11] On 17th June, Ukrainian media sources claimed that the Ukrainian army had captured one of the AFVs along with its crew somewhere in the Donetsk Oblast.[12] The AFV was a T-62M with its ammunition removed and its turret fixed in place.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Появились кадры изнутри танка "Царь-мангал" ВС РФ с защитой от дронов и мин
- ^ Axe, David. "Russia's Turtle Tanks Are Evolving. First, Metal Shells. Now, Radio Jammers". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
- ^ a b David Axe, The Russians Have Added Yet Another Layer Of Armor To Their Giant Turtle Tanks
- ^ a b c David Axe, The Russian Turtle Tank Is The Weirdest Armored Vehicle Of The Ukraine War. The Craziest Thing Is, It Might Actually Work.
- ^ Russia’s ‘Turtle Tank’ – its Latest Battlefield Innovation to Combat Kyiv FPV Drones
- ^ "Ukraine Invasion Day 776: new cope-caged 'blyatmobile' T-72 tank". Daily Kos. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
- ^ Tsar Mangal: Return of the Turtle Tanks, April 28, 2024
- ^ office_zzam. "Analysis: Everything We Know About Russian Turtle Tanks in Ukraine". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2025-02-20.
- ^ Is The Tide Turning Against The Turtle Tanks?
- ^ The drawbacks of the Russian 'turtle tank', a T-72 with a metal shell, 6 May 2024, retrieved 6 June 2024
- ^ Jake Epstein, The wild-looking Russian 'turtle tanks' that keep showing up may not be as crazy as they seem
- ^ Ukraine Captures First Turtle Tank Along With the Crew, 17 June 2024, retrieved 18 June 2024
- ^ Altman, Howard (22 June 2024). "Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Now Launching Kalibr Cruise Missiles From The Sea Of Azov". The War zone. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
