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IRONY! Ukraine Installs Russian Explosive Reactive Armor On Its Tanks To Counter Russian ATGMs

In a move to counter the increasing vulnerability of Western tanks deployed in Ukraine, Kyiv authorities are equipping them with additional explosive reactive armor of Soviet-era origin to bolster their survival prospects in the ongoing conflict.

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The general director of the Rostec state corporation has claimed that Russian anti-tank missile systems (ATGMs) are effectively eliminating Western tanks deployed in Ukraine.  

During a conversation with RIA Novosti, Sergei Chemezov, the CEO of the Rostec state corporation, said the “Chrysanthemum” and “Kornet” Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) systems can penetrate the German Leopard tank from any direction. 

“They burn very well. Our Kornet or Chrysanthemum ATGMs penetrate the same Leopard from any side,” he said. 

Furthermore, Chemezov said that Western tanks have started incorporating additional Soviet-era explosive reactive armor to enhance their chances of survival in combat situations.




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A photograph depicts a Ukrainian Leopard 2 in the field adorned with an external layer of explosive reactive armor (ERA) bricks, with origins harking back to the Soviet Union.

In broad terms, Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) is designed as a defensive measure against penetrating anti-tank munitions such as high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) and armor-piercing rounds. ERA operates by detonating upon impact just before the incoming round reaches the tank’s hull. 

This preemptive detonation generates a counter-blast effect that aims to disrupt the effectiveness of the incoming weapon or, in some cases, destroy it outright. The goal is to mitigate the damage caused by anti-tank munitions and enhance the overall survivability of the armored vehicle.

Russian forces have been using the Chrysanthemum Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) in Ukraine, claiming that this weapon system has successfully destroyed a considerable number of Ukrainian armored vehicles of different classes and types. 

The Chrysanthemum ATGM can launch up to four missiles per minute through automatic loaders. The manufacturer, KBM, asserts that a platoon consisting of three Khrizantema-Ss can potentially disable a company of 14 tanks within two minutes, assuming an estimated 60% kill probability per shot.

Similarly, the Kornet ATGM system has also been credited with destroying several Ukrainian vehicles, showcasing its effectiveness in the ongoing conflict.

Explosive reactive armor of Soviet-era origin was first observed on Western tanks in July 2023, with images depicting Ukrainian Leopard 2s equipped with an outer layer of Soviet-era ERA bricks. 

The addition of ERA on Western tanks has the potential to enhance defense against widespread threats such as anti-tank guided missiles and closer-range weapons like rocket-propelled grenades. However, the precise extent of their performance remains uncertain.

Western Tanks Failed In Ukraine? 

Western tanks have reportedly not lived up to Ukraine’s expectations, despite the latter labeling them as a potential game-changer for counteroffensive operations. 

Mike Mihajlovic, a defense technologies expert and former Canadian Armed Forces officer, told EurAsian Times that the Russian anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) exhibit impressive penetration capabilities over long distances.

While the Leopard 2 is a well-armored tank, it is not impervious to hits on both the turret and hull, with a notable drawback being its substantial size, making it a relatively vulnerable target in field conditions, Mihajlovic said.

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