Russian tanks' bulky shields fall short against modern arms
The Russians continue to use tanks referred to as "armoured barns," which, under specific conditions, can be quite effective. Despite this, Ukrainians are able to destroy them even with improvised weapons. Here are the details of the destruction of the largest specimen observed so far by the Ukrainians.
In response to the widespread use of FPV drones by the Ukrainians, the Russians are attempting to reinforce their vehicles in various ways. The most obvious solution was jammers; however, they do not provide full effectiveness and have become ineffective for a few months now due to the popularisation of FPV drones controlled via fibre optics.
Consequently, the idea emerged to cover tanks and other vehicles with scrap metal on a stand, designed to prematurely detonate cumulative warheads used on drones. This type of shielding is placed at a distance of more than 50 centimetres from the main armour of the tank or other vehicle, which means that the detonation of a PG-7VL grenade will not cause damage.
However, this significantly increases the size of the vehicle, as seen in the video below. This record-large specimen likely has an extension that is about 1 metre from the actual structure, but this did not stop soldiers from the 30th Mechanised Brigade, who still managed to destroy the Russian "armoured barn."
Russian "armoured barn" — protection only against simple weapons
Such a barrier is ineffective against weapons with a tandem cumulative warhead, as the first warhead pierces the scrap shielding, and the second detonates on the tank's main armour. Unless there's another layer separated, for example, by 50 centimetres under the extension, then it might make sense. Still, the cost is a huge increase in weight and dimensions, making the protected vehicle even more visible.
Such a vehicle cannot be camouflaged, and additional grates along with wooden logs and pieces resembling cut transmission belts severely limit the crew's visibility. On the other hand, modern anti-tank systems like the FGM-148 Javelin, Akeron MP or even Stugna-P have the ability to penetrate even over 1 metre of steel armour.
In the case of a top attack, this is sufficient to penetrate even a multi-layered cage and several centimetres of steel armour on the roof. The scenario is similar with a side hit, and only a direct frontal attack, where strong armour is hidden under the extension, might prove ineffective.
The situation is different with FPV drones or bombing "Baba Yaga" drones armed at most with PG-7VL grenades, capable of penetrating 50 centimetres of steel armour, as well as cluster bomb submunitions or PGN grenades from the era of the People's Republic of Poland.
The "armoured barn" extension works relatively well for such single-head anti-tank systems. However, they are only this strong due to the weakness and shortage of appropriate weapons among the Ukrainians.
