An elite Ukrainian unit, the 12th Azov brigade, embarked on a perilous three-day mission to capture a Russian T-72 tank suspected of carrying secret technology. The mission was driven by concerns that the tank possessed a jamming system capable of disrupting drone operations.
Under the cover of darkness, the Azov brigade stealthily crossed the frontline and located the abandoned tank. They navigated a maze of barbed wire, replaced batteries, and cleared mines to prepare the tank for movement. Amidst enemy artillery fire, the tank was successfully transported back to Ukrainian territory.
Upon examination, the captured tank revealed a makeshift arrangement of antennae and transmitters, far from the advanced technology initially feared. Ukraine’s military was keen to understand the tank’s intended purpose and study the electronic warfare system.
Ukraine has heavily relied on first-person-view (FPV) drones to destroy enemy tanks with remarkable efficiency. These drones have accounted for over two-thirds of Russian tank losses in recent months. The Ukrainian military is constantly adapting and upgrading its drone capabilities, with the head of attack drone operations stating that FPVs successfully hit three out of five battlefield targets.
However, Russia has been attempting to counter Ukraine’s drone advantage by equipping its tanks and combat vehicles with anti-drone armor. Ukraine lags behind Russia in the quantity and intensity of drones, despite having made significant progress in drone warfare.
Ukraine’s ultimate goal is to achieve technological superiority over Russia, with plans to procure vast numbers of drones. The nation aims to obtain 200,000 drones in 2023 and an ambitious target of one million in 2024. While FPV drones have proven highly effective, experts emphasize that they cannot fully replace artillery units, which remain a critical need for Ukraine.
