What are the Russian “turtle tanks” seen in Ukraine?
Wrapping vehicles in corrugated metal might protect them from drone attacks
IN LATE 2021 Russia began welding metal cages over the turrets of its tanks, in an attempt to protect them from attack. The cages proved ineffective—some Western analysts jokingly dubbed them “emotional-support armour”. Now Russia has introduced an even more intensive retrofit, using metal sheeting to totally enclose some of its tanks. The new armour has earned the vehicles the nickname “turtle tanks”. Will kitting them out in this way really help?
More from The Economist explains
Would legal doping change the Olympics?
The impact would be smaller—and worse—than proponents of drug-taking claim
Do vice-presidential picks matter?
If they have any effect on an election’s result, it is at the margins
What led to the bitter controversy over an Olympics boxing match?
A mighty punch by an Algerian boxer has revived a politically charged dispute
Is this the end of Project 2025, the plan that riled Donald Trump?
The right-wing blueprint for governing has taken centre-stage in America’s presidential campaign
Who should control Western Sahara?
France becomes the latest country to back Morocco’s claim
Who are the Druze, the victims of a deadly strike on Israel?
The religious minority has often been caught up in regional crossfire in the Middle East