A new video published by Kyiv forces on social media captured an unusual strike by Ukrainian artillery: the rapid successive knocking out of two Russian tanks followed by the catastrophic detonation of ammunition on board one of the combat vehicles.

The 92nd Artillery Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Territorial Defense Forces, which destroyed two Russian T-80BV tanks near the village of Kolomiychikha in the Luhansk region, struck.

The video shows how one of the two tanks, catching fire from the collision, undergoes a catastrophic detonation of on-board ammunition, which raises the turret of the combat vehicle tens of meters into the air.

The situation is unusual because most of these explosions of combat vehicles used by the Russian military occur after hits from Javelin or NLAW anti-tank systems, when the missiles they use hit the tank or armor from above.

Photos that have been circulating on social networks since the end of March show that after such detonations, only a part of the chassis and a metal skeleton remained in the wake of the tank in the sea.

But a video released in early October shows that in some rare situations, Russian combat vehicles miraculously survive being hit by anti-tank systems, even if the missiles that hit them fall on them from above.

The problem of the design of Russian tanks

Gen. Mark Gertling, the former commander of US forces in Europe, has since March explained several design mistakes by Russian engineers in Moscow’s war machines in the context of Ukrainian forces being able to destroy numerous Russian tanks and armored convoys in the first days of the invasion.

Speaking of Russian tanks, Gertling called them “matchboxes” because they are not only very tight, but also quickly catch fire from the inside.

The American general, originally a tank commander, said that “in 1994, when I was the commander of a battle group within the framework of the Partnership for Peace, I was part of a delegation in Moscow. The Russians knew I was a tank guy, so they let me see their newest T-80 tank at the time (not the model seen in the video).

“I got into it and… quickly understood why they recruit only “short” tankers. It was tight, the ammunition was visible everywhere (in our tanks, the ammunition is located behind the ballistic doors that protect the crew in the event of a hit in the tank), the armor on top and behind the tank was thin and there were many blind spots that did not allow the crew to check.” – he said.

Hertling also explained that it is very difficult for Russian tankers to see attacking infantry, and combat vehicles are not protected by dynamic armor in the upper areas where the Javelin missiles hit.

“When hit, the tanks start burning and secondary explosions occur. If they get hit, the crew has a lot of trouble getting out quickly,” he said.

Answering a question about Russian tanks, the American general said that they are “even worse.”

“In Operation Desert Storm, we saw these vehicles hit and destroyed with small arms. Everything was on fire. They have fuel tanks outside the door. They burn quickly and strongly, the crew cannot get out quickly,” said Mark Gertling.

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