Ukraine and Russia prepare ground “kamikaze drones” for war

30 April, 2023 UGVs with TM-62 anti-tank mines of Ukraine and Russia. Photo from social media In Ukraine and Russia, unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) are being developed to destroy armored vehicles.

Recently, the AV 04.2 UGV was demonstrated in Russia. A ??-62 anti-tank mine is installed on an AV 04.2 small wheeled unmanned ground vehicles. The Russians are also considering the possibility of creating these ground "kamikaze drones" on tracks.

Such tracked mine should get closer to the vehicle, and then the operator should trigger the mine.

Russian AV 04.2 UGV with TM-62 anti-tank mines. Footage from social media

The Russian version is equipped with only one mine, but the Ukrainian version can carry up to two ??-62 anti-tank mines.

Analysts from Ukraine Weapons Warfare said that Ukrainian forces are already actively testing the RATEL ground drone. Tests of the RATEL strike ground drone are reported to have been successful. "The main idea is that this RATEL is used as a mobile warhead that carries two ??-62 anti-tank mines and the purpose of which is to activate under a vehicle or tank," analysts say.

Ukrainian RATEL UGV with TM-62 anti-tank mines. Footage from @WeaponsWarfare

Inside the ??-62 mine hull, there is a charge of explosives, and a fuze was installed on top. The mass of the explosive is 7.5-8 kilograms.

The explosion occurs when a tank track or a car wheel hits the top cover of the mine, but experts have probably converted the mine for remote detonation.