- Ukrainian forces successfully destroy Russian tank column using FPV attack drones, including three T-72 tanks and five tracked amphibious armored fighting vehicles.
- Video footage shows drones accelerating towards tanks, causing explosions and leaving smoking wrecks in the battle that lasted two and a half hours.
- This victory showcases the potential of inexpensive drone technology in countering Russia’s military advantage and has led to criticism of Russian tactics and calls for improved defenses in Ukraine.
Additional Coverage:
- Pro-Kremlin supporters are fuming after footage appears to show Ukrainian drones decimating an entire Russian armored column (businessinsider.com)
Ukrainian forces have successfully destroyed a Russian column of tanks and armored vehicles using FPV attack drones, according to Metro. The attack resulted in the destruction of 11 tanks and armored vehicles, including three T-72 tanks, five tracked amphibious armored fighting vehicles, and an infantry fighting vehicle. Two additional vehicles were destroyed, one by an anti-tank guided missile. The battle took place near Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, an area that Russia has been trying to capture since October. The attack was captured on camera, showing the devastation caused by the drones.
Video footage shows the FPV attack drones accelerating towards the Russian tanks and armored vehicles before impact. Other footage provides a panoramic view of the battle, with tanks bursting into flames upon impact and leaving behind smoking wrecks in the winter fields. The battle lasted for nearly two and a half hours and the video was dated January 30. However, the authenticity of the video has not been independently verified.
This victory against the Russian armored column is significant for Ukraine, as it highlights the potential of inexpensive drone technology in leveling Russia’s battlefield advantage. Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, emphasized the role played by unmanned weapons systems, such as drones, in helping Ukraine counter Russia’s superior manpower and weapons. Both Russia and Ukraine have been using FPV drones since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
The strikes on the Russian column have caused frustration among Russian military bloggers and commentators. They have criticized the Russian military’s tactics, with one military blogger describing them as “complete stupidity and incompetence.” Another blogger argued that the Russian military command needs to stop attacking in large groups and should equip their armored vehicles with electronic warfare systems to counter Ukrainian drone operations.
After two years of war, Ukraine has called on the West to strengthen its defenses. The increased use of drone attacks has become a strategic focus for Ukraine, with targets ranging as far as Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Ukrainian drone operators believe that in the current war of armor against projectiles, projectiles are currently winning.
Source: Business Insider