Close-up of a Ukrainian four-sided iron spike (Photo: Forbes).
Russia is facing a new threat behind the front lines: four-sided spikes that can explode tires dropped onto roads by drones, Forbes reports.
In essence, caltrops are a weapon that has long been used in wars. Ukraine is now using them to cause Russian supply convoys to blow out the tires.
During the time these vehicles stop, Ukraine will control suicide UAVs to attack or drop explosives to destroy them.
Logistics is a vital part, the "bloodline" of every conflict. In conflicts, both sides need to be provided with large amounts of military equipment, weapons, ammunition, and food to maintain the war.
Previously, Ukrainian UAVs often attacked Russian logistics vehicles transporting supplies to frontline troops. The only way for Russia to get ammunition, food, and other supplies across the dangerous area was to load them onto UAZ-452 Bukhanka (“Loaf”) trucks and drive them at top speed.
According to Forbes, with the appearance of the four-sided iron spikes, Russian truck drivers will have to look both up and down at the same time because of the potential threat.
The caltrops used by Ukraine were weapons with four sharp edges, so that when they were thrown to the ground, one edge would always stick up. The caltrops were used at least as far back as 313 BC when the armies of the ancient Kingdom of Macedonia used them against Persian cavalry. Once they got stuck in the hooves of horses, they were very difficult to remove.
The weapon was used in many conflicts that followed. In the 20th century, caltrops were still used, but they were aimed at military trucks. During World War II, European forces often used caltrops to block Nazi convoys on the roads. After the vehicles broke down, they would rush out from their ambush positions to attack.
Now, in the war in Ukraine, the appearance of UAVs has brought Kiev a new tactic. They use UAVs to drop iron spikes on the roads, then wait for Russian trucks to pass. When they hit an obstacle, these trucks can have their tires blown out and stop. At this time, the Ukrainian suicide UAVs will have time to attack directly on the enemy convoy.
Russia usually carries out logistical resupply operations at night to avoid the threat of Ukrainian UAVs. However, driving at high speeds at night puts truck drivers at great risk of running into spikes. A tire blowout while driving at speed can cause a truck to lose control and flip over.
Ukraine has previously used UAVs to drop anti-tank mines on roads. But these mines are heavy, difficult to control and may not explode. The caltrops are simple, cheap weapons with a very low risk of malfunction.
On the front lines, trucks are considered more difficult targets to destroy than tanks. Tanks in combat are often loaded with ammunition. A UAV hitting the ammunition can blow up the vehicle.
However, hitting a fast-moving truck is no easy task. The spikes are a weapon that Ukraine uses to buy time, ensuring the attack delivers maximum destruction.
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