Russian tank column devastated by Ukrainian mines in shocking footage
Minefields play a significant role during the war in Ukraine, inflicting severe losses on both sides of the conflict and sometimes ultimately preventing an effective offensive. A column of Russian military vehicles experienced terrible luck in this regard.
6:16 PM EDT, May 21, 2024
The fate of this Russian unit is documented in a recording shared online by the Russians themselves. As indicated by the Ukrainian portal Militarny, the author of the video is likely a Russian commander with the call sign "Chelyabinsk," who remotely coordinated the tank unit's actions.
The video shows Russian tanks advancing, navigating a minefield on their way to Ukrainian positions. After the first mine detonation, "Chelyabinsk" received information about the damage to one of the vehicles and an injured soldier. Despite this, he ordered the unit to continue driving through the minefield.
The attack command is repeated even after a second tank in the unit is destroyed by another mine. The result is a massive explosion caused by the mine striking the tank, leading to an ammunition explosion and the destruction of the vehicle.
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According to the Militarny portal, such an effective defeat of the Russian unit could be due to the Ukrainians using drones capable of carrying TM-62M anti-tank mines. This capability allows for the remote creation of mine barriers away from their positions.
TM-62M anti-tank mine
The TM-62M mine was developed in the Soviet Union as a pressure-activated anti-tank mine. It is 13 inches in diameter, 5 inches in height, and weighs 21 pounds, seven pounds of which are attributed to the TNT charge.
Unlike modern side-attack mines that can target distant vehicles with specific properties, the TM-62M requires direct pressure (the fuse activates under at least 330 pounds) or the presence of a large, metallic object nearby to detonate due to the magnetometer.
The TM-62M also features safety mechanisms to prevent removal. It utilizes a gyroscope and accelerometer, meaning any attempt to move or lift an armed mine results in its detonation.
