Why do Russian tanks keep getting blown up by Ukrainian mines?

1 year ago
73

A minefield is not impenetrable.
So why do Russian tanks keep getting blown up by Ukrainian mines?
Mines rarely destroy tanks but do immobilize them by damaging their tracks or blowing off wheels. Given a successful push forward, the attackers can then fix the tanks in the newly captured territory. In some battlefields, Ukrainians have been planting mines close together, and the Russian de-mining operations have been ineffective, but why?
The most common anti-tank mine in Ukraine is the TM-62. It is a Soviet design that is used by both sides. It is usually triggered by a pressure fuse after it is driven over, but some have magnetic fuses. They can be buried but are more commonly just left on the ground.
The Russians use a demining tank called a KMT that is equipped with rollers to set off pressure mines. It also has a plough blade to push out buried mines. There is an electromagnetic device to trigger magnetic mines. The Russians do not seem to trust the KMTs. There have been instances, some of them documented on video, of Russian tanks blowing up because the KMT did not successfully demine an area.
If the Russians do not use the KMTs, they must resort to specialist engineer units that use mine ploughs or explosives. These engineers will clear lanes for the tanks to drive through. However, tank drivers may panic and drive out of the cleared lane only to hit a mine.
If the Ukrainians can blow up a tank on a cleared lane, the tanks behind it may try and go around and accidently hit a mine.
Russian’s inability to demine has seriously hampered its offensive war effort.
Works Cited:
https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2023/04/12/why-so-many-russian-tanks-fall-prey-to-ukrainian-mines

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