Thetsar mangal (Russian:Царь-мангал,[1] tsar mangal, lit: King of all Grills) orturtle tank refers toarmored fighting vehicles that were fabricated fromT-62,T-72 andT-80 tanks used byRussian Forces, and modified with extensiveimprovised steel roof and siding, as well as copious amount ofanti-droneslat armor which cover the sides and rear of the host tank. The heavily modified armored fighting vehicles were spotted in action in early April 2024 inKrasnohorivka[2] on the battlefield of theRusso-Ukrainian war. Equipped with extensive electronic warfare, these tanks resemble moving barns with turrets sticking out, making them a large and unusual sighting within the battlefield.[3][4] Newer models are equipped withKMT 7mine-clearing rollers with electromagnetic mine detector/trawl (Russian:Электромагнитный Тральщик Приставка ЭМТ.)[1]
The main Russian term for these vehicles is Tsar Mangal, derived from the Russian slang "mangal" foranti-drone slat armor, in an analogy with other large weapons such as theTsar Cannon andTsar Bomba.
Most western sources denote it as the "turtle tank" for their unusual turtle shell appearance.[4] Ukraine military also dubbed it a "mobile barn".[5] Other monikers include ‘blyatmobile’ (Блятьмобиль)[6] and ‘assault garage’ (штурмовой гараж).[7]
Turtle tanks have suffered from a number of problems, with extensive footage of damaged turtle tanks appearing as they were increasingly utilized in combat roles.[8] The major drawbacks come mainly from its barnlike structure, including poor visibility and mobility, as well possessing a non-rotating turret. It reportedly serves well as ademining vehicle during armoured assaults,[4][3] but still can be damaged by mines and artillery.[9] On 17th June 2024, Ukrainian media sources claimed that the Ukrainian army had captured one of the AFVs along with its crew somewhere in theDonetsk Oblast.[10] The AFV was a T-62M with its ammunition removed and its turret fixed in place.[11]
