Russian forces, stepping up their offensive on the eastern Ukrainian front in Donetsk Oblast, have recently deployed new tanks. These are the "turtle tanks." The distinctive feature of these tanks is the installation of metal mesh on the hull to protect against Ukrainian drone attacks. However, recent footage has revealed that the turtle tank's defensive capabilities may not be sufficient.

The 79th Independent Airborne Assault Brigade, operating in eastern Ukraine, released a short video on May 14. The video shows Russian forces attacking Ukrainian positions near the village of Novomykhailivka in Donetsk Oblast. Among them is a Russian tank covered with metal mesh.

The 79th Brigade stated on social media that "even with the installation of defensive metal mesh on tanks, it had no effect against precise attacks."

Footage circulating on the internet in recent weeks has shown Russian forces covering tanks with metal lids in an attempt to defend against Ukrainian FPV (first-person view) drones, also known as kamikaze drones. These tanks with metal mesh have been dubbed "turtle tanks" and have become the subject of ridicule on social media.

Matthew Moss, a small arms expert, has indicated that these turtle tanks have been appearing on various fronts in Ukraine, including the northeastern part of Kharkiv Oblast, where Russian forces have launched a new offensive.

Will more turtle tanks emerge, and will they become standardized? Moss said, "It depends on two factors: how effective the turtle tanks are, and whether the Ukrainian forces can adapt and devise more effective attack methods."

Footage recently released by Ukrainian intelligence sources shows Russian tanks being destroyed in Donetsk Oblast, with the defensive metal covers left behind as debris.

Ukrainian forces have been deploying large numbers of inexpensive FPV drones to attack Russian armored vehicles and tanks. In early April, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense stated that "Russian tanks are a 'favorite target' for Ukrainian FPV drones."

According to the 79th Brigade, Ukrainian forces attacked a convoy of Russian vehicles near Novomykhailivka using drones, artillery fire, and anti-tank missiles. "Thanks to the skill and excellent teamwork of our soldiers, four tanks, six infantry fighting vehicles, and one armored recovery vehicle were left as scrap metal on the battlefield."

Ukrainian forces explained that this convoy was part of a "large-scale offensive." Russian forces had temporarily ceased operations in the vicinity of the village just before this attack.

Novomykhailivka is a front-line village. It is located southwest of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk and south of the village of Marinka, captured by Russia in December 2023. Nearby is the strategically important stronghold of Vuhledar, located in southern Donetsk Oblast. Donetsk Oblast has been a battleground for over two years.

According to a statement released by the Ukrainian military at 1:30 p.m. local time on May 15, Russian forces launched multiple attacks north of Novomykhailivka. The village of Antonivka, located west of Novomykhailivka, also came under shelling.

Russia, while intensifying its offensive in eastern Ukraine, claimed to have captured two additional villages in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast on May 15. According to a statement released by the Russian government, Russian forces deployed in the north have captured Pryhobokivke and Lukianchy.

Russia opened a new front in the northeast on May 10. Ukrainian authorities and Western analysts have stated that Russia is aiming to disperse Ukrainian forces.

Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshin of the Hortitsia Operational and Strategic Group, fighting in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, stated, "Russia is trying to prevent Ukraine from strengthening its defenses in the east and south." He added that the frequency of Russian attacks has increased along the front line extending from Kharkiv.

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on May 15 that Russian forces have captured the southern village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Robotyne was recaptured from Russia by Ukrainian forces in 2023. Ukrainian forces reported on May 15 that Russia was attempting to advance its troops in the area around Robotyne. They also indicated that "minor clashes" were occurring around 15 times a day in the region.