Operators of the Bulava Unmanned Systems Battalion repelled russian assault involving a heavily protected tank and infantry, according to footage released by Army TV on February 27. The engagement highlights both the evolving battlefield adaptations of russian armored units and the increasingly hybrid nature of drone-led defense.
The russian assault group reportedly advanced toward Ukrainian positions using a tank equipped with an improvised protective structure commonly referred to as a mangal, a metal cage-like framework mounted above the turret. Such additions are intended to counter FPV drones and top-attack munitions, which have become a persistent threat to armored vehicles.
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During the attack, multiple Ukrainian FPV drones struck the tank but were unable to immediately disable it due to the reinforced overhead protection. Despite sustaining hits, the armored vehicle continued advancing toward the positions of the drone operators, bringing the confrontation to close quarters.
As the tank approached within direct engagement range, one of the drone pilots, call sign Shaman, reportedly left cover and fired a handheld anti-tank grenade launcher, successfully stopping the vehicle. The episode underscores the continued relevance of portable anti-armor weapons even amid the dominance of unmanned systems on the modern battlefield.
However, the engagement did not end with the immobilization of the tank. Russian infantry dismounted and continued the assault on the Ukrainian defensive position, attempting to storm the dugout used by the drone operators.
According to the report, the attack was ultimately repelled through a combination of small-arms fire and drone-delivered munitions. The coordinated defense neutralized the assault group and prevented the loss of the position.
As Defense Express previously reported, operators of the 1st Battalion of the Raid 413th Regiment have struck russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system on the Donetsk axis, according to Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces. The engagement took place on February 27 near Mariupol, on the territory of the Azovstal industrial complex.
Read more: $15 Million Pantsir-S1 System Destroyed by Ukrainian Middle Strike Drone at Azovstal (Video)
