Operators of the Nemesis 412th Brigade have reportedly destroyed 20 russian tanks since the beginning of 2026, effectively eliminating the equivalent of two full-strength tank companies. The results were achieved across key defensive sectors, where armored assaults have intensified during the winter campaign.
According to the brigade, heavy bomber drones and FPV systems played a central role in neutralizing the vehicles. Despite ongoing russian attempts to enhance tank survivability, installing improvised metal "grills", cage armor, and protective netting, Ukrainian drone crews have continued to penetrate and ignite armored targets with precision strikes.
Read more: Ukrainian SOF Hit russian Iskander Missile System and Ka-27 Helicopter in Temporarily Occupied Crimea
The resurgence of russian tank activity this winter marks a shift compared to the previous year, when armored vehicles were deployed more cautiously. The increased presence on the battlefield suggests that Moscow has managed to accumulate a reserve of combat-ready machines and is now committing them to support assault operations.
However, the sustained destruction of armor by Ukrainian drone units complicates those efforts. Tanks remain critical for breakthrough attempts, direct fire support, and psychological impact on the battlefield. Their loss not only reduces firepower but also constrains operational flexibility.
The Nemesis Brigade has reportedly accounted for nearly 200 damaged or destroyed tanks overall. Such figures highlight the growing effectiveness of unmanned systems in countering heavy armor, once considered the backbone of conventional offensive warfare.
Industrial constraints further compound the issue for russia. Current production capacity is estimated at no more than 400 tanks annually, while stocks of Soviet-era armored vehicles in storage have reportedly been significantly depleted after years of refurbishment and reactivation.
As Defense Express previously reported, operators of the 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces, in coordination with the Deep Strike Center, have struck high-priority russian air defense systems worth an estimated over $120 million in less than a week. The operation targeted key components of russia's layered air defense network on two critical axes of the front.
Read more: russian S-300VM and Tor Air Defense Systems Worth $120M+ Hit by Ukrainian Forces (Video)
