Russia wants to protect its tanks from Ukrainian drones using flash-bang grenades
The Russian military is considering an unusual method of protecting T-72 and T-80 tanks, as well as other main battle tanks, from attacks by Ukrainian drones. To this end, they propose using “Vzlit-M” and “Fakel” flash-bang grenades, which, according to the concept’s authors, are intended to “blind” attack drones and knock them off course.
Andriy Tarasenko, a researcher of armored vehicle history, described this idea in his blog.
The proposed concept involves using these munitions as an additional means of countering drones.
According to the plan, flash-bang grenades are to be used in conjunction with electronic countermeasures. Their detonation near a drone could potentially interfere with its operation and prevent it from carrying out an attack.
At the same time, conventional explosive devices can pose an additional danger to the tank itself. Each detonation of such ammunition could potentially damage the combat vehicle’s armor.
Therefore, the authors of the idea propose using flash-bang grenades specifically, arguing that their blast wave is allegedly not powerful enough to damage the armor but can still affect the drone’s flight.
Among the possible munitions for implementing this concept, they mention “Fakel” and “Vzlet-M.”
However, for the practical application of such a system, Russian tanks would need special launchers that would allow them to quickly fire grenades in the direction of the drone.
At the same time, Defense Express emphasizes that there is currently no basis for asserting that such a system has already become a standard means of protection for Russian tanks.
In fact, this is a proposed concept whose effectiveness has yet to be tested directly in practical conditions.
Russian troops continue to experiment with various technologies in an effort to reduce the loss of heavy armored vehicles to Ukrainian drones.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) note that Russia is installing upgraded UAV defense systems on its tanks to extend their service life on the front lines.
In particular, on August 7, an assault was recorded near Dobropillia, during which a Ukrainian FPV drone struck a Russian T-72B3M equipped with the “Arena-M” active protection system.
Thus, the Russian military continues to seek new ways to counter FPV drones, but the proposed idea of using flash-bang grenades remains experimental for now.
Defense Express reports on this.
Earlier, Zelenskyy announced the destruction of an oil refinery in the Yaroslavl region and a Russian Tu-95MS.
On the evening of August 27, Russian forces twice attacked the town of Zmiyiv in the Chuhuiv District of the Kharkiv region with rocket-powered drones. One person was killed and two others were wounded in the Russian attack, including a child.
On the night of August 27–28, Russian forces launched a strike with four KAB missiles against the “Nova Poshta” sorting center in Sumy. The terminal was destroyed in the attack, but all employees survived.
Prior to this, Russia had attacked a Nova Poshta warehouse in the Kyiv region.
As a reminder, Russia carried out more than 860 strikes on Zaporizhzhia over the past 24 hours.
Video: The refinery caught fire after the attack in Orsk.
Earlier, the General Staff confirmed a strike on the TANECO oil refinery in Tatarstan.
