Tanks fitted with an additional anti-drone protection system known in the troops by the unofficial nickname «tsar-mangal» are being deployed for the most dangerous missions in the special military operation zone.

According to Izvestia, these upgraded heavy vehicles, including T-72 tanks, are used during offensive actions, such as advancing units toward populated areas.

The so-called «mangal» design consists of a multi-layered anti-drone screen made of metal elements and rubber. This configuration increases a tank’s resistance to aerial attacks, although it limits the turret’s ability to rotate fully. To operate in especially challenging conditions, the vehicles are also equipped with mine-clearing trawls, enabling them to move through mined terrain.

The main advantage of such tanks is their high survivability: drone strikes cause them only limited damage. At the same time, the added armor increases the vehicle’s weight by several tons, reducing speed and placing extra strain on the engine, which can lead to overheating. For this reason, these machines are assigned specifically to the most hazardous sectors.

It was previously reported that one Russian tank withstood 43 drone strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and was not completely disabled. A battalion commander with the call sign «Svat» later noted that the survivability of armored vehicles has increased noticeably in recent times.