Ukrainian forces craft 'Frankenstein' tank from Russian wrecks
The Ukrainian armed forces have ingeniously assembled a tank from parts of destroyed Russian machines, aptly naming it "Frankenstein." The first images of this creation have surfaced online. In the face of the aggressor's superior equipment, such initiatives become invaluable. Despite these efforts, Russia continues to hold the initiative on the front lines.
The Ukrainian armed forces have demonstrated outstanding creativity by assembling a tank from components salvaged from destroyed Russian machines. The vehicle, known as "Frankenstein," exemplifies the innovation and adaptability of Ukrainians confronting enemy superiority.
New Ukrainian armed forces tank: Here's "Frankenstein"
This tank, commanded by the 12th Azov Special Purpose Brigade, is made up of various components. The turret and gun are sourced from a Russian T-90M, while the hull is fortified with dynamic armour and side shields resembling those of the T-80BVM.
As "Fakt" notes, since the launch of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian defenders have destroyed or captured 122 T-90M tanks. These modern vehicles, promoted by the Russian president as the "best in the world," now bolster the Ukrainian arsenal.
The hybrids combine elements from various tank models, such as the T-72B3, T-72B1, and T-62. This strategy allows for the use of functional parts to build combat-ready vehicles for the front lines. A key feature is the application of reactive armour, which enhances protection against older types of anti-tank weapons, thus providing these tanks with additional combat value.
Ukrainians more willing to concede land: Will Russians prolong the war?
The war with Russia has been ongoing for nearly three years. Unfortunately, in recent months, the aggressor has firmly taken the front-line initiative. By gaining more territory, Vladimir Putin aims to strengthen his negotiating leverage in any potential peace talks. Russia capitalizes on its numerical advantage in troops and equipment. Internally, by seizing more Ukrainian land, Putin can portray the "special military operation" as a success. Regrettably, although Ukrainians strive to win the technological race at the front, their resources remain significantly more constrained.
It's unsurprising that, according to PAP referencing research by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, the percentage of Ukrainian respondents willing to consider territorial concessions in exchange for ending the war with Russia is increasing. This percentage has risen from 32 to 38 percent. However, Russia shows no interest in peace, as current conditions favour them. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Centre for Counteracting Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, stated that Russia is amassing and distributing resources to enable it to continue the war in Ukraine until 2027.
