Ukrainian drones destroy at least seven T-72B3A tanks, some with Arena-M, in Donetsk
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Ukrainian drone strikes destroyed at least seven Russian T-72B3A tanks on July 22, including some equipped with the Arena-M active protection system in its first documented combat use in Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian defenders repelled the company-size Russian assault, and soldiers said the Arena-M downed some drones but 15 to 20 drones were needed to finish off each tank.
Key Facts
- The first documented combat use of Russia's Arena-M active protection system occurred on July 22 in Donetsk Oblast during a company-size Russian armored assault.
- Ukrainian drone strikes destroyed at least seven T-72B3A tanks, including some equipped with Arena-M, according to Euromaidan Press.
- Ukrainian soldiers said the Arena-M shot down some incoming drones, and 15 to 20 drones were needed to finish off each tank.
- Rob Lee wrote on X that the Arena-M “demonstrated effectiveness” after he and Dmytro Putiata reported the Ukrainian accounts.
Combat Debut in Donetsk
Russian forces launched a company-size armored assault in Donetsk Oblast on July 22, using the Arena-M active protection system in combat for the first documented time. Ukrainian defenders repelled the attack and posted video footage of kamikaze drone strikes destroying at least seven T-72B3A tanks, including some equipped with Arena-M, according to Euromaidan Press. Ukrainian soldiers said the Arena-M system shot down some incoming drones, and 15 to 20 drones were needed to finish off each tank. Dmytro Putiata and Rob Lee reported those Ukrainian accounts, and Lee wrote on X that the Arena-M “demonstrated effectiveness.”
Drone Saturation and Armor Limits
Russia’s deployment of Arena-M came more than four years after the February 2022 full-scale invasion, as mass armored assaults have become scarce under drone warfare. Russia has previously added “cope cages” and “turtle tanks” with improvised armor, but the extra weight and encumbrance have often limited tank mobility and use of main guns. Up-armored vehicles attempting to enter the drone kill zone usually get destroyed, which has pushed mechanized assaults in favor of infiltration tactics by small groups of soldiers. Arena-M is the latest version of the Arena system originally developed in the Soviet era.
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Ukrainian drones destroy at least seven T-72B3A tanks, some with Arena-M, in Donetsk
