Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta released a video on 11/8 showing a Geran-2 long-range suicide drone dropping PTM-3 anti-tank mines onto a road deep inside Ukrainian territory. At least two Ukrainian military vehicles were destroyed after detonating the mines.
"The enemy recently posted information that containers with mines were attached under the wings of Geran UAVs. The Russian army has tested some technologies quite successfully, causing losses to Ukrainian forces," reported the Russian news site NGP-Razvedka.
NGP-Razvedka reported that the mine-dropping version of the Geran-2 is equipped with a camera and a video feed to the operator, specializing in operating along the enemy's logistical routes.
"The Russian army will continue to refine the guidance system and improve tactics, turning Ukraine's logistics lines into a real nightmare. The operational range of the Geran-2 carrying anti-tank mines is over 1,000 km," NGP-Razvedka stated.
Ukrainian police reported in late July that one of the Russian Geran UAVs shot down in Sumy province had a mine-dropping system. This was the first time Ukraine reported the discovery of this type of drone.
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Debris of a Geran UAV with a mine-dropping container in Sumy province, Ukraine in late July. Photo: Ukrainian Police |
The PTM-3 is a shaped-charge anti-tank mine developed by the Soviet Union, deployable from vehicle-mounted launchers, rocket artillery, and helicopters. Each mine contains 1.8 kg of TG-40 explosive, consisting of 60% RDX and 40% TNT. The mine's casing is designed to create a shaped charge effect on five sides, and it becomes active 60 seconds after deployment.
The mine uses a magnetic fuse to detect vehicles at close range and detonate. It is equipped with a self-destruct mechanism within 16-24 hours if no target is detected.
"With increasing Geran production and vast PTM-3 mine stockpiles, Russia's new tactic will further endanger Ukraine's logistics network, which is already under immense pressure from UAVs," assessed Thomas Newdick, editor of the US military website War Zone.
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PTM-3 anti-tank mine. Photo: Wikimedia |
Russia has repeatedly upgraded the Geran UAV, including equipping it with heavier warheads, electro-optical sensors and cameras, as well as creating jet-powered variants that can fly beyond the range of some Ukrainian air defense units.
Russian forces have also changed their attack tactics with the Geran UAV, including using the drones to pave the way for missiles, attacking in swarms to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses, and even using camera-equipped variants to hunt for mobile air defense units and then designate targets for other UAVs.
Nguyen Tien (According to War Zone, AFP, AP)
