Russian tactics: Improvised armored vehicles in combat
The Russians continue to persist with frontal assaults on Ukrainian positions. Some of these attacks are carried out on motorcycles and oddly modified civilian vehicles, while others involve barely functioning armored wrecks. Here, we provide an example from the latter category.
In recent months, Russians have been increasingly seen launching assaults in strangely modified civilian cars or motorcycles, as well as armored equipment collectively referred to as "armored barns."
In the video below, you can observe an "armored barn," using the hull of a T-54/55 or T-62 tank, discernible by the number of road wheels. A Russian soldier even shows the interior, revealing the absence of a turret. In its place is a superstructure made from scrap metal, mesh, wood, and pieces of rubber resembling conveyor belts. Inside, there are seats for a large assault group.
Russian "armored barn" — a scrap metal substitute for an armored taxi
While layering scrap metal over half a metre away from the actual armor might offer some protection against FPV drones with anti-tank bomblets or older PG-7VL grenades, this isn’t true for just the superstructure.
This is because even if a shaped-charge warhead detonates further away, the cumulative jet still retains a diminished penetration capability. In the case of the superstructure made from scrap, it will not safeguard those inside, and considering its construction, there may also be issues with fragments from artillery shells.
The vehicle in question likely results from finding a still-functional hull of a T-54/55 or T-62 tank in the rear and the need to create a substitute due to a shortage of BMPs or BTRs in the associated unit.
Essentially, the only individual who might be protected by this "armored barn" is the driver, and we’re referring only to improvised anti-tank threats, not professional military systems like the FGM-148 Javelin launcher. Meanwhile, for the other passengers, this setup would likely be lethal if attacked by anything.
