T‑72 mishap: Russian tank slides off trailer in viral video
On social media, a recording appeared showing Russians maneuvering a truck with a trailer transporting a damaged T-72 tank. Although the soldiers' intentions were unknown, it is likely their goals differed from what is seen in the video.
The war in Ukraine brings new recordings from the front lines each day, as well as from places far from where the fighting is occurring. While most of these videos show more or less effective attacks from both sides of the conflict, the war also has another side—one that, when confronted with internet users, involves primarily mocking Russian soldiers online.
It's impossible not to mention a video featuring a Russian fleeing from a drone, seeking safety in... a toilet, where the man hid. Other examples include recordings showing peculiar Russian constructions—machines that are often the result of amateur work and frequently use materials the army has on hand, like fences and tin garages.
Russian tank on a trailer
Joining the list of footage that triggered a flurry of comments and shares is a video published by profiles such as @front_ukrainian on X. The film shows a Russian trailer transporting a damaged T-72 tank (evidenced by the lack of a track). The vehicle reverses as if the driver intends to position it for unloading, then suddenly brakes. The unsecured tank immediately gains momentum and slides off the trailer (with unsecured ramps for descent). The "unloading" of the tank ended with it crashing into a tree, which stopped the armoured vehicle weighing several dozen metric tonnes.
It is unknown what exactly the Russians intended to achieve with the actions shown in the film. Due to the lack of tracks, one can assume the tank was damaged and not fit to be driven, thus needing to be brought in for service. However, the surroundings where the video was made do not resemble a tank repair shop. This suggests that the "unloading" might have been unintentional and resulted from improper securing of the load.
T-72 tank
The T-72 tank featured in the video is one of the more popular designs in Russia. The history of this model dates back to the 1970s. Since then, the T-72 has undergone numerous upgrades. Among them, the T-72B3 version stands out, gaining recognition for its modern Sosna-U sight and improved reactive armour. The T-72B3 model is armed with a 2A46M cannon with a 125 mm calibre, supported by PKT machine guns with 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm calibres. These modifications significantly improved its effectiveness on the battlefield.
