Russian forces have intensified their offensive in eastern Ukraine with the deployment of the 'Turtle Tank', but they are facing setbacks due to Ukrainian drone attacks.
Specifically, Ukrainian forces have effectively utilized inexpensive FPV drones to target Russian tanks, inflicting significant damage. Meanwhile, Russia is also escalating its offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region, aiming to divert Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian forces have employed drones, artillery, and anti-tank missiles to target Russian vehicle convoys, successfully destroying numerous tanks and armored vehicles, and halting the Russian advance.
Russian forces, intensifying their offensive on the Donetsk Oblast front in eastern Ukraine, have recently deployed a new type of tank: the 'Turtle Tank'. This tank is characterized by the installation of metal mesh armor on its hull to defend against Ukrainian drone attacks. However, recently released footage has revealed that the Turtle Tank's protective capabilities may not be as effective as initially thought.
The 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade, operating in eastern Ukraine, released a short video on May 14th. The video shows Russian forces attacking Ukrainian troops near the town of Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast. Among the Russian forces, tanks covered in metal mesh are seen.
The 79th Brigade stated on social media that "even with the addition of protective metal mesh to the tanks, it had no effect against accurate attacks."
Videos that have circulated online in recent weeks showcase Russian forces covering their tanks with metal sheeting in an attempt to protect them from Ukrainian FPV (first-person view) drones, also known as kamikaze drones. These tanks adorned with metal mesh have been dubbed 'Turtle Tanks' and have become a subject of ridicule on social media.
Matthew Moss, a small arms expert, revealed that these Turtle Tanks have been appearing across Ukrainian battlefields, including the northeastern Kharkiv Oblast where Russia recently launched a new offensive.
Will the number of Turtle Tanks increase, and will their design become standardized? Moss commented that "it depends on two factors: how effective the Turtle Tanks prove to be and whether the Ukrainian military can adapt and devise more effective countermeasures."
Footage released by Ukrainian intelligence sources in recent weeks has depicted the destruction of Russian tanks in Donetsk Oblast, with remnants of the protective metal coverings scattered among the debris.
Ukrainian forces are employing a large number of inexpensive FPV drones to target Russian armored vehicles and tanks. In early April, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence declared that Russian tanks were a "favorite target" of Ukrainian FPV drones.
According to the 79th Brigade, Ukrainian forces used drones, artillery strikes, and anti-tank missiles to attack a Russian vehicle column near Novomykhailivka. "Thanks to the professionalism and excellent teamwork of our soldiers, four tanks, six infantry fighting vehicles, and one armored recovery vehicle were left in ruins on the battlefield."
Ukrainian forces described this vehicle column as part of a "large-scale offensive." Prior to this attack, Russian forces had temporarily halted operations in the area surrounding the town.
Novomykhailivka is a frontline town located southwest of the Russian-held city of Donetsk, south of Mariinka, a town captured by Russia in December 2023. It is also close to Vuhledar, a strategically important location in southern Donetsk Oblast. Donetsk Oblast has been a major battleground for over two years of war.
According to a statement released by the Ukrainian military on May 15th at 1:30 PM local time, Russian forces launched multiple attacks north of Novomykhailivka. Antonivka, a village west of Novomykhailivka, also suffered an airstrike.
While escalating its offensive in eastern Ukraine, Russia claimed to have seized two additional villages in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast on May 15th. According to a statement released by the Russian government, Russian forces deployed in the north captured Pryhohove and Lukanchi.
Russia opened a new front in the northeast on May 10th. Ukrainian authorities and Western analysts believe Russia's aim is to disperse Ukrainian forces.
Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshin of the Hortitsky Operational Command, fighting in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, stated that "Russia is attempting to prevent Ukraine from reinforcing its defenses in the east and south." He noted an increased frequency of Russian attacks along the frontline stretching away from Kharkiv.
The Russian Ministry of Defence announced on May 15th that Russian forces had captured the southern Zaporizhzhia Oblast village of Robotyne. Robotyne was retaken by Ukrainian forces from Russia in 2023. On May 15th, Ukrainian forces reported that Russia was trying to advance its troops around Robotyne. They stated that there were about 15 "minor skirmishes" a day in the vicinity of the area.