Charles Esther
Improvised protective cages on Ukrainian and Russian combat vehicles are becoming more elaborate, resembling postapocalyptic designs from “Mad Max” films.
These structures, often handmade, aim to shield vehicles and crews from increasingly lethal drone attacks on the battlefield.
Latest Example: Ukrainian Humvee with Full Protective Frame
A recently photographed American-made Humvee in Kostiantynivka, north of Donetsk, was seen covered in a large metal cage, netting, and sticks protruding from multiple angles.
The image highlights the ongoing adaptation of battlefield vehicles to counter the threat of uncrewed aerial vehicles.
A Shared Tactic Across Both Armies
Russia and Ukraine have both adopted similar defensive upgrades, sometimes disguising the vehicle entirely.
In one case last month, combat footage revealed a Russian tank encased in a massive cage and netting, reportedly surviving dozens of FPV drone strikes before being destroyed.
Rise of Improvised Armor Since 2023
“Cope cages” began appearing in 2023 as cheap drones—costing only a few hundred dollars—proved capable of destroying multimillion-dollar tanks.
Initially fitted only to tanks and armored fighting vehicles, these defenses now appear on a wide range of combat systems.
Varied Designs and Materials
Protective measures include metal cages, slat armor, netting, chains, spikes, and sometimes explosive reactive armor for vulnerable zones.
Some designs are bulky, potentially limiting movement, while others incorporate camouflage or netting for concealment.
“Turtle Tanks” and Standardized Designs
Some Russian tanks have been nicknamed “turtle tanks” due to armor that completely covers the vehicle like a shell.
In both countries, certain designs have now been standardized, with official instructions and purpose-built adaptations for different tank models and defense systems.
Widening Scope of Protection
Ukrainian firms have fitted steel screens to Soviet-era T-64s and T-72s, as well as US-supplied Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, and Patriot missile systems.
These measures are now part of broader vehicle protection programs.
Drones as a Dominant Battlefield Threat
Small, inexpensive drones carrying explosives have become one of the most dangerous threats to any moving vehicle in the Ukraine war.
Both sides use them extensively for direct attacks, often bypassing traditional armor.
Beyond Armor: Electronic Warfare and AI
Defenses against drones also include electronic warfare to sever control links or disrupt GPS signals.
In response, fiber optic drones—tethered by cable—have been deployed, and AI-enabled drones now operate autonomously when connections are lost.
Last-Resort Protection in a Shifting War
Cope cages remain a last line of defense in a constantly evolving technological arms race, as both armies adapt to the changing realities of modern drone warfare.
David Awoyode