Ukrainian artillery reportedly destroyed a Russian main battle tank assigned to 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division that was outfitted with an active protection system, called Drozd.
Video footage has appeared online reportedly showing a destroyed position of Russian troops in Eastern Ukraine’s Sumy Region.
In the burning wreckage of their combat vehicles was spotted the rare modification of the T-80 main battle tank that was equipped with Drozd active protection system.
A distinctive feature of this modification, known as the T-80UM2, is the presence of doppler radar (to detect incoming rounds), two launchers installed on the sides of the tank turret and a large electronics package on the turret rear.
According to Russian media, the Drozd system was developed to give a 120-degree protection arc with more projectile launchers. It was intended to be installed on the then-upcoming T-80U main battle tanks.
On top of that, T-80UM2 tanks were spotted in Belarus a few weeks before the beginning of a large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
