Russian forces experiment with new tech to restore mechanized offensives – ISW

Russian forces are testing new technologies to enhance mechanized operations and break away from static warfare, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Analysts from ISW reported on August 9 that Russian forces are experimenting with advanced active protection systems (APS) for tanks to improve their ability to withstand Ukrainian drone attacks in battle.

Footage from August 7 appears to show Ukrainian first-person view (FPV) drones targeting a Russian T-72B3M tank with an Arena-M APS near occupied Volodymyrivka, east of Dobropillya in Donetsk Oblast. It seems this footage might be from the July 2026 mechanized assault, where Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed at least one T-72B3A tank equipped with an Arena-M APS.

The footage suggests Russian forces have developed and added an "anti-drone" capability to their Arena-M system in 2025, allowing it to intercept approaching FPV drones. Ukrainian sources reported on August 9 that one Arena-M-equipped Russian tank intercepted seven Ukrainian FPV drones, increasing the number of drones needed to neutralize the tank by 15 to 20.

Russian forces are deploying Arena-M systems to bolster tank survivability against Ukraine's persistent drone threats and other conventional weapons, aiming to restore mechanized maneuver on the battlefield. Analysts from ISW believe the Arena-M system alone may not be sufficient to counter Ukrainian FPVs alone, as it can become overwhelmed and only adds to the defensive cost for Ukrainian forces.

A Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger claimed the Arena-M has only 12 counter-munitions. Despite this, Russian forces are likely to continue efforts to restore maneuver despite the Dobropillya mechanized assault's failure in July 2026. Ukraine has also been working to restore its own mechanized maneuver capabilities at the tactical level since late 2025.

Combat in Ukraine may become less positional and more tactical as both sides employ innovative tactics and technologies. Russian forces are currently upgrading tanks at the factory level with multi-layered anti-drone armor, but these upgrades only extend a vehicle's survival by a few minutes, according to Oleksandr Borodin, a spokesperson for Ukraine's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade.