German-made Leopard tanks are among the most difficult targets for drones, according to Hero of Russia and UAV operator Alexey Sokolov, who described to RIA Novosti how one of the armored vehicles was destroyed.

Sokolov said the main obstacle was an anti-drone net protecting the tank and preventing a cumulative charge from reaching its armor. The protective net therefore had to be completely destroyed before the operators could attack the Leopard itself.

Once the protection was removed, Sokolov and another operator simultaneously struck the tank with Knyaz Vandal Novgorodsky drones. The Leopard proved difficult to set on fire, requiring several drones before the armored vehicle eventually caught fire and was destroyed.

Sokolov, a native of the Perm Region, was mobilized in 2022. He initially served in the infantry before becoming a UAV operator.

During the operation to liberate Konstantinovka, Sokolov destroyed more than 30 pieces of Ukrainian heavy military equipment. He was subsequently awarded the title Hero of Russia.