Why Ukraine's Tanks Have Again Become A Battlefield Threat To Russia

The fatal flaw in conceptual thinking about armored operations in the drone age was not really the tanks themselves. It was the notion that they could operate independently, without additional support. 

What the Ukrainians have discovered - and achieved - is a combined arms approach to assaults that builds on the tanks armaments, but supports it with drone coverage to reduce the sources of Russian resistance before the attack and then accompany the thanks during the actual assault. It is that coordinated, mutually protective firepower and overwhelmingly lethal one-two-three punch that has again made tanks a feared opponent on the battlefield. JL

UA News reports:

The Ukrainian military is demonstrating that tanks have not lost their significance on the battlefield, where drones have become the main threats. A tank should not have to operate independently. Its main advantage is the combination of firepower, protection, and the ability to move under fire. But to do this, a tank needs support. The Ukrainian experience shows that drones can provide such support. They help the crew see the battlefield, locate enemy positions, and monitor threats from the air. In the case of the 475th Assault Regiment, tanks effectively moved alongside their own “screen” of drones. Some scouted the route, others attacked the enemy, and the heavy VAMPIRE provided bomb support. Tank crews have limited visibility so data from drones can help tank crews understand what is happening around their vehicle. “A tank is not an isolated weapon system to be mindlessly sent across the battlefield, but a powerful component in joint operations."

The Ukrainian military is demonstrating that tanks have not lost their significance even on the battlefield, where drones have become one of the main threats. Retired British Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, in a column for The Telegraph, analyzed a recent operation by the 475th Separate Assault Regiment “CODE 9.2” in the Kharkiv region. Ukrainian tanks operated there alongside several types of drones and were able to complete their mission and return undamaged. 

Just a few years ago, tanks were considered one of the main forces on the battlefield. But Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine has drastically changed the situation. Drones have become a weapon of mass use, and FPV drones have turned into a serious threat to armored vehicles.

As a result, tanks have repeatedly been called weapons of the past—especially after the heavy losses of Russian armored vehicles, which were destroyed by anti-tank missiles and drones. However, as Gemish de Bretton-Gordon writes, this does not mean that the era of tanks is over. “Firepower, mobility, and protection remain the key components of success on the battlefield,” emphasizes the retired British colonel.

Tanks went on the offensive alongside drones

As an example, the author cites an operation by Ukrainian forces near Vilkhuvatka in the Kharkiv region. Two tanks from the 475th Separate Assault Regiment CODE 9.2 took part in the operation. Before departing, the vehicles were given additional protection against attacks by FPV drones.

The tanks did not operate alone. They were accompanied by several types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Reconnaissance UAVs monitored the situation and helped locate targets. FPV drones engaged the enemy. A heavy VAMPIRE bomber drone also supported the crews during the operation. This operational structure is confirmed by materials from the unit itself and specialized military sources.

The tanks advanced toward Russian military positions in the Vilkhuvatka area. There, they opened direct-fire on buildings where Russian infantry were stationed. While moving, the vehicles even ran over light mines, which did not damage the tanks.

After completing their mission, the Ukrainian crews began their withdrawal. Russian forces attempted to attack the tanks with FPV drones. According to CODE 9.2, the tanks withstood several such attacks and returned to their positions undamaged. This operation serves as a prime example of how armored vehicles are being adapted to the modern battlefield.

Why Tanks Are Becoming Important Again

De Bretton-Gordon points out a simple fact: a tank does not necessarily have to operate independently. Its main advantage is the combination of firepower, protection, and the ability to move under fire. But to do this, a tank needs support. The Ukrainian experience shows that drones can provide such support. They help the crew see the battlefield, locate enemy positions, and monitor threats from the air.

In the case of CODE 9.2, the tanks effectively moved alongside their own “screen” of drones. Some drones scouted the route, others attacked the enemy, and the heavy VAMPIRE provided additional support. This tactic is also important because tank crews have limited visibility. Therefore, data from aerial drones can help tank crews better understand what is happening around their vehicle.

At the same time, additional protection for the tanks is also important. According to open-source reports, the CODE 9.2 vehicles feature reinforced armor and designs intended to reduce the risk of being hit by FPV drones.

Tanks Alone Are Not Enough

A British expert emphasizes that a modern tank unit cannot simply roll onto the battlefield and rely solely on its armor. Tanks must operate in conjunction with infantry, artillery, reconnaissance, drones, electronic warfare assets, and other units. “A tank is not an isolated weapon system to be mindlessly sent across the battlefield, but a powerful component in joint operations among the branches of the military,” writes de Bretton-Gordon.

The author cites the lack of such coordination as one of the reasons for the heavy losses of Russian armored vehicles. In his assessment, Russian forces often deployed tanks without sufficient infantry support, reconnaissance, or protection against drones. Ukraine, by contrast, is gradually integrating traditional armored vehicles with new technologies.

This does not mean that tanks have become less vulnerable. On the contrary, the battlefield remains saturated with drones, mines, and other weapons. But the right tactics can increase the chances that armored vehicles will complete their missions and return safely.

What Lies Ahead for Tanks

According to de Bretton-Gordon, the future of tanks will depend on how well armies can adapt them to the new reality. This involves additional protection against drones, modern sensors, reliable communications, electronic warfare capabilities, and their own reconnaissance drones. Crew training also remains crucial.

In other words, the question is no longer simply “tanks or drones.” Modern warfare is forcing armies to use them together. “Ukraine is showing us what the future of armored warfare will look like. It’s not a choice between tanks and drones, but a contest between armies that learn to integrate them and those that don’t,” the author notes.

The operation near Vilkhuvatka served as one example of this approach. Two tanks received air support, carried out their fire mission, and were able to exit the combat zone unscathed. That said, it is still too early to speak of a full “return” of tanks to the battlefield. Modern warfare remains extremely dangerous for armored vehicles. But the Ukrainian experience shows that, with proper coordination, a tank can remain a vital part of an assault operation even when the skies are filled with drones. Retired British Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon writes about this in an op-ed for The Telegraph.

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