Ukrainian forces capture bizarre Russian 'chicken coop' tank
This is the first instance where Ukrainian soldiers have managed to capture a Russian tank dubbed the "chicken coop." Inside the vehicle were Russian soldiers who were taken as prisoners. These tanks are equipped with additional "protections" made from makeshift materials. Their effectiveness on the front is negligible...
6:09 AM EDT, June 18, 2024
The war in Ukraine has been ongoing for over two years. Recently, the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured an unusual Russian tank for the first time, which resembles a chicken coop more than a modern weapon.
The video shows Ukrainian soldiers entering the armored vehicle and successfully controlling it. The Russian soldiers inside were taken hostage, and the machine was started and driven out of the brush.
Ukrainians proudly raised their country's blue and yellow flag on the tank, symbolizing their triumph and their indomitability and determination in defending their homeland against the Russian aggressor.
The chicken coop, an unusual Russian tank
The tank seen in the video is armored with scrap. This construction can protect from FPV-type drones with simple single-charge grenades capable of penetrating steel armor, as their detonation would occur several inches from the tank's primary armor.
The cages, called "tortoise" or "chicken coop," aim to protect against shellfire. They are mounted on both old and newer Russian tanks.
The armored scrap superstructure also provides makeshift protection for soldiers transported in the tank against artillery shrapnel. This Russian "armored tortoise" is most likely intended to deliver troops to a specific region. Due to the additional armor, the horizontal turret movement is limited, reducing its combat effectiveness.
These vehicles are evidence of attempts to increase crew and equipment protection under intense shelling conditions, though often at the expense of maneuverability and combat effectiveness. The Armed Forces of Ukraine's capture of such a tank is another small success in the fight against the Russian invader.