A recent video shows a Ukrainian T-72 tank engaging a building thought to be occupied by Russian forces, then taking a hit from a Russian Lancet-3 drone.
Explodes Prematurely
The drone appears to explode prematurely, likely due to an anti-drone mesh fitted to the tank.
This defensive measure has become common among Ukrainian forces as a way to counteract the increasing use of attack drones.
The T-72 tank survived the impact without damage and quickly withdrew from the area, demonstrating the effectiveness of the anti-drone protection, according to WP.
The anti-drone mesh, combined with reactive armor tiles, offers additional protection against drones carrying single or tandem warheads.
These defensive upgrades give the tank a better chance of deflecting or neutralizing explosive devices before they can reach the main armor.
While not flawless, these defenses have become essential on the battlefield as drones play a larger role in the conflict.
Anti-Drone Mesh Saves Lives
The T-72 tank, introduced by the Soviet Union in 1973, was initially a simplified version of the more advanced T-64.
With a weight of 40 tons and a low profile of 2.2 meters, it includes an automatic loading system that reduced the crew size to three.
Although helpful, this system has a dangerous flaw: it stores 22 shells inside the crew compartment without added protection, making the tank extremely vulnerable if hit.
In Ukraine, tank crews have improvised with added defenses like jammers to disrupt drone controls, though these devices aren’t always effective.
The Lancet-3 drone, used by Russia since 2020, is designed to hover for up to 40 minutes and has a range of 40 kilometers. Early models carried a 3-kilogram warhead that could pierce 215 mm of steel armor.
Newer versions reportedly carry a 5-kilogram payload for greater impact. Despite its power, the Lancet-3 lacks pinpoint accuracy, which can make it less effective at hitting specific points on a tank.
For Ukrainian tank crews, the Lancet-3 remains a serious threat, especially since it can operate autonomously in its final approach. In this encounter, however, the anti-drone mesh likely saved the crew’s lives,
