Russians fail to use a “kamikaze tank” filled with explosives

19 June, 2023 The explosion of a Russian kamikaze tank in Donetsk region, June 2023. A frame from a video from social media In the war against Ukraine, Russian invaders use armored vehicles loaded with explosives.

This is evidenced by drone footage released by Russian propagandists on social media. The invaders decided to use a remote control tank VBIED to attack Ukrainian positions. The Russians sent a tank VBIED towards the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the area of the settlement of Marinka on the western outskirts of the temporarily occupied Donetsk.

The propagandists claim it took place in June this year. However, the remote-controlled tank did not reach the target. A hundred meters away from the Ukrainian positions, it encountered an anti-tank mine and stopped.

According to the invaders, it was allegedly the tank they had captured before. However, other sources claim it was an outdated Russian ?-54/55 or even a ?-62 tank.

According to the invaders, the internal volume of the combat vehicle was filled with 6 tons of explosives and ammunition, but it is impossible to confirm the exact amount of explosives. After stopping the Russian "kamikaze tank," the Ukrainian military fired at it with an anti-tank grenade launcher.

A Russian tank VBIED catches fire after being hit by an RPG in Donetsk region, June 2023. Footage from a video from social media

Almost immediately, the tank caught fire, releasing a large amount of thick smoke.

The detonation of a Russian kamikaze tank in Donetsk region, June 2023.

A frame from a video from social media

In a few seconds, a powerful explosion occurred, which was recorded by a Russian drone. Judging by the detonation power, the tank burned down to the ground, and the flame after the explosion rose high up.

Smoke after the detonation of a Russian kamikaze tank in Donetsk region, June 2023. A frame from a video from social media

However, this is not the first case of the use of armored vehicles with explosives by Russians.

MT-LB armored vehicle of the Russian military, which was filled with explosives.

February 2023.

Ukraine.

Photo from social media

In February, Militarnyi reported that the Russians placed OFAB-100-120 bombs and an explosive cable from the UR-77 mine clearing vehicle inside the MT-LB multi-purpose armored tractor to blow up Ukrainian positions.