Russians Install Sea Containers on Tanks

Russian forces have begun mounting sea ISO containers on tanks, adding to the improvised structures already seen on the battlefield, such as so-called “sheds” and “grills.”

The Telegram channel Region 22 published the video footage.

The video captures two tanks of an unidentified type.

Due to the low video quality and the container superstructures, it is difficult to determine the exact version, though features of the rear section suggest the vehicles may be T-80BVM tanks.

Both vehicles are fitted with a new form of improvised battlefield protection: sea containers mounted directly on top of the chassis.

The front of the containers has cutouts to allow the main gun to operate, while the top is additionally covered with metal mesh, likely intended to provide limited protection against overhead threats, including drones.

The rear of the containers appears largely unmodified. On the sides, improvised openings for the exhaust system are visible, likely to prevent the buildup of exhaust gases inside the structure.

At the same time, the design lacks additional protective elements: the tank hull remains fully exposed, and no electronic warfare equipment is visible on the upper part of the containers.

It is worth noting that standard sea containers have relatively thin walls, typically 1.5–2 millimeters thick. They are made of corten steel, which is not designed to provide ballistic protection.

As a result, such “protection” can be easily penetrated by small-arms fire, artillery fragments, and drone-delivered munitions.

A standard container weighs about 2.2 tonnes, though the weight appears to have been reduced by cutting away the lower and front sections.
In November, Russian forces previously displayed so-called assault “hedgehogs” — tanks fitted with extensive rope-based anti-drone protection, mine-clearing equipment, and electronic warfare systems.