Ukrainian drone footage shows a tank under fire deploy smoke and evade ATGMs. The tank appears to be in retreat, and IDF lands nearby. The tank deploys smoke from its internal generator, and an ATGM narrowly misses, striking the ground nearby. The tank manages to withdraw to the bottom right of the frame.

Many Soviet and Russian designed armored vehicles possess the ability to generate smoke to permit obscuration of the battlefield. Some models also possess smoke grenade launchers that are effective in IR spectrum, a model also employed by several U.S. and NATO platforms. The fact that the ATGM missed its target makes me wonder if it was an optically guided projectile, rather than thermal.

About the Author

Cam

Cam served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, deploying to the Horn of Africa and participating in combat operations in Iraq. He currently works in the maritime industry and in the defense sector as an instructor of combined arms planning and operations. An avid sailor, Cam founded and directs a nonprofit that supports veterans and first responders through sailing.