The tsar mangal (Russian: Царь-мангал,[1] tsar mangal, lit: King of all Grills) 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 Russo-Ukrainian war. 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
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’ (штурмовой гараж).[7]
Effectiveness
Turtle tanks have suffered from a number of problems, with extensive footage of damaged turtle tanks appearing as they were increasingly utilized in combat roles.[8] 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.[9] On 17th June 2024, Ukrainian media sources claimed that the Ukrainian army had captured one of the AFVs along with its crew somewhere in the Donetsk Oblast.[10] The AFV was a T-62M with its ammunition removed and its turret fixed in place.[11]
See also
References
- ^ 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
- ^ 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
- ^ 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.
