Ukrainian Leopard tank survives hair-raising drone attack
A recording from a Ukrainian Leopard 2A4 was published on social media. The tank was attacked by a Russian drone, which, however, "missed by a hair."
The war in Ukraine is often called the "drone war" because both sides use various types of unmanned aerial vehicles extensively. Drone footage frequently shows targeting and flying toward a target, or it depicts the effects of accurate hits. This time, a much rarer video has surfaced online, providing a look at a drone attack from a different perspective.
Russian drone attack on Leopard 2A4 tank
In this instance, the Russian drone failed to destroy the Ukrainian equipment. It struck just a few inches in front of the hull of the Leopard 2A4 tank, allowing the crew to continue driving.
Both Russians and Ukrainians frequently use FPV (first-person view) drones. These small unmanned aerial vehicles, equipped with built-in cameras, offer live views in real-time until the moment of impact. Typically, these are simple commercial drones modified for warfare by adding explosive charges. Such basic, improvised solutions are effective not only against older Soviet-era tanks but also against newer, better-armored designs. Drones pose a threat to the Abrams used by Ukrainians or Russian T-90 tanks.
More advanced drones used by the Russians to destroy Ukrainian military equipment include Lancet drones.
german tanks are numerous in Ukraine
Among the Western tanks supplied to Ukraine as support from the West, German Leopards make up the most numerous group. Various variants are reaching the frontline.
The Leopard 2A4 is a tank developed in the 1980s. It is powered by an engine with 1,500 horsepower, allowing the crew to reach speeds of up to about 45 mph. According to Ukrainian soldiers, the Leopard 2A4 performs well not only on roads but also in more challenging terrain and mud.
Its main armament is the Rheinmetall L/44 120 mm smoothbore gun, and additional armament includes two 7.62 mm machine guns and a smoke grenade launcher. The Leopard 2A4 is equipped with the EMES 15 fire control system with thermal imaging, which, compared to Soviet-era tanks lacking this feature, provides an advantage in situational awareness on the battlefield.
