Turtle tank

{{Short description|Russian tank with improvised extra armor}} thumb|A Turtle Tank in May 2024, showing its improvised armour and mine clearance roller The '''tsar mangal''' ({{langx|ru|Царь-мангал}},<ref name="rg">[https://rg.ru/2024/05/06/poiavilis-kadry-iznutri-tanka-car-mangal-vs-rf-s-zashchitoj-ot-dronov-i-min.html Появились кадры изнутри танка "Царь-мангал" ВС РФ с защитой от дронов и мин]</ref> tsar mangal''',''' lit: King of all Grills) or '''turtle tank''' refers to armored fighting vehicles that were fabricated from T-62, T-72 and T-80 tanks used by Russian Forces, and modified with extensive improvised steel roof and siding, as well as copious amount of anti-drone slat armor which cover the sides and rear of the host tank. The heavily modified armored fighting vehicles were spotted in action in early April 2024 in Krasnohorivka<ref>{{Cite web |last=Axe |first=David |title=Russia’s Turtle Tanks Are Evolving. First, Metal Shells. Now, Radio Jammers. |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/04/16/russias-turtle-tanks-are-evolving-first-metal-shells-now-radio-jammers/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> on the battlefield of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Equipped with extensive electronic warfare, these tanks resemble moving barns with turrets sticking out, making them a large and unusual sighting within the battlefield.<ref name=daa2>David Axe, [https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/05/05/the-russians-have-added-yet-another-layer-of-armor-to-their-giant-turtle-tanks/?sh=790ca3e8625d The Russians Have Added Yet Another Layer Of Armor To Their Giant Turtle Tanks]</ref><ref name=daa1>David Axe, [https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/04/25/the-russian-turtle-tank-is-the-weirdest-armored-vehicle-of-the-war-the-craziest-thing-is-it-might-actually-work/?sh=68c229f2441f The Russian Turtle Tank Is The Weirdest Armored Vehicle Of The Ukraine War. The Craziest Thing Is, It Might Actually Work.]</ref> Newer models are equipped with KMT 7 mine-clearing rollers with electromagnetic mine detector/trawl ({{langx|ru|Электромагнитный Тральщик Приставка ЭМТ}}.)<ref name="rg" />

== Name == The main Russian term for these vehicles is Tsar Mangal, derived from the Russian slang "mangal" for anti-drone slat armor, in an analogy with other large weapons such as the Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bomba.

Most western sources denote it as the "turtle tank" due to its unusual turtle-shell appearance.<ref name=daa1/> Ukrainian military also dubbed it a "mobile barn".<ref>[https://www.kyivpost.com/post/31373 Russia’s ‘Turtle Tank’ – its Latest Battlefield Innovation to Combat Kyiv FPV Drones]</ref> Other monikers include ‘blyatmobile’ (Блятьмобиль)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine Invasion Day 776: new cope-caged 'blyatmobile' T-72 tank |url=https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/4/8/2234158/-Ukraine-Invasion-Day-776-new-cope-caged-blyatmobile-T-72 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Daily Kos |language=en}}</ref> and ‘assault garage’ (штурмовой гараж).<ref name=tab-april28>[https://armourersbench.com/2024/04/28/tsar-mangal-return-of-the-turtle-tanks/ Tsar Mangal: Return of the Turtle Tanks], April 28, 2024</ref>

== Effectiveness == [[File:Russian "Turtle" Tank.png|thumb|A damaged turtle tank in May 2024, showing armour built from corrugated iron]] thumb|Captured Turtle Tank, June 2024 Turtle tanks are able to survive as many as 5 times the number of drone strikes as unmodified tanks.<ref name=Janovsky>{{cite news |last=Janovsky |first=Jakub |date=27 April 2026 |title= Turtle Tanks: From Their Evolution to Why They are a Dead End |url=https://fronts.co/article/turtle-tanks-dead-end/ |work= Fronts.co |location= |publisher=Fronts |access-date=29 April 2026}}</ref>

Turtle tanks have suffered from a number of problems, with extensive footage of damaged turtle tanks appearing as they were increasingly utilized in combat roles.<ref name="tab-May28">[https://armourersbench.com/2024/05/17/is-the-tide-turning-against-the-turtle-tanks/ Is The Tide Turning Against The Turtle Tanks?]</ref> The major drawbacks come mainly from its barnlike structure, including poor visibility and mobility, as well as its non-rotating turret. It reportedly serves well as a demining vehicle during armoured assaults,<ref name="daa1" /><ref name="daa2" /> but still can be damaged by mines and artillery.<ref name="outono">{{Citation |title=The drawbacks of the Russian 'turtle tank', a T-72 with a metal shell |date=6 May 2024 |url=https://www.outono.net/elentir/2024/05/06/the-drawbacks-of-the-russian-turtle-tank-a-t-72-with-a-metal-shell/ |access-date=6 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref> On 17 June 2024, Ukrainian media sources claimed that the Ukrainian army had captured one of the AFVs along with its crew somewhere in the Donetsk Oblast.<ref>{{Citation |title=Ukraine Captures First Turtle Tank Along With the Crew |date=17 June 2024 |url=https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukraine_captures_first_turtle_tank_along_with_the_crew-10874.html |access-date=18 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The AFV was a T-62M with its ammunition removed and its turret fixed in place.<ref name="Altmanjune22">{{cite news |last=Altman |first=Howard |date=22 June 2024 |title=Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Now Launching Kalibr Cruise Missiles From The Sea Of Azov |url=https://www.twz.com/news-features/ukraine-situation-report-russia-now-launching-kalibr-cruise-missiles-from-the-sea-of-azov |access-date=1 July 2024 |work=The War zone}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}} {{Russian invasion of Ukraine|Related}} Category:Improvisation Category:Vehicle armour Category:Military vehicles of Russia Category:Military equipment of the Russian invasion of Ukraine Category:Military slang and jargon