Ukrainian Armored Truck Drives On After 5 Mines, 3 Drone Hits, Losing Front Wheels

This is the second example, in a matter of weeks, in which a Ukrainian armored vehicle or tank was able to continue operating despite repeated drone strikes. 

In the case of the Turkish made armored vehicle, it survived five land mines, three FPV drones strikes, losing its two of its front wheels - but was able to keep its operators and soldier passengers safe - while getting them out of danger. The implication is that Ukraine appears to be developing and deploying new and more effective defensive protection for its armored vehicles. JL

Sofiia Syngaivska reports in Defense Express:

A Ukrainian, Turkish-made 4×4 armored vehicle sustained major damage in combat but remained capable of moving after losing two of its front wheels. Despite sustaining repeated damage from five landmines and three FPV drone strikes, the vehicle continued to provide protection for those inside. The attacks caused severe damage to the vehicle, including the loss of two front wheels. The damage did not completely immobilize the Cobra II. Its driver, who is with Ukrainian Defense Intelligence's Artan unit, was able to keep the vehicle moving and reach a safe location, allowing the crew and other personnel to escape the danger zone. 

The Turkish-made 4×4 armored vehicle sustained major damage in combat but remained capable of moving after losing two of its front wheels

Ukraine's Cobra II armored vehicle has demonstrated a high level of battlefield survivability after withstanding multiple mine explosions and FPV drone strikes while protecting its crew and fighters.

The vehicle is operated by the Artan special operations unit of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence. Its combat experience was highlighted during a recent review by ArmyInform, which included a shock test conducted by Senior Lieutenant Solomiia Reznik. 

The Cobra II vehicle had already faced considerably harsher conditions in combat before the test. According to the unit, the armored vehicle survived five mine strikes and three attacks by russian FPV drones while carrying personnel. 

Despite sustaining repeated damage, the vehicle continued to provide protection for those inside. The attacks caused severe damage to the vehicle, including the loss of two front wheels.

The damage did not completely immobilize the Cobra II unit, however. Its driver was able to keep the vehicle moving and reach a safe location, allowing the crew and other personnel to escape the danger zone. 

Cobra II vehicle is designed as a modular tactical armored platform combining ballistic and mine protection with high mobility. The vehicle has a conventional layout with the engine at the front, a crew compartment in the middle and a rear personnel compartment.

Earlier Ukrainian technical coverage of the platform lists a 12-tonne gross vehicle weight, 400-mm ground clearance and a 6.7-liter six-cylinder turbocharged diesel producing 281 hp and 970 Nm of torque.