Ukraine: Russia losing tanks due to explosive armour failure, MOD says

Russia is losing Main Battle Tanks in Ukraine due to its failure to provide sufficient Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA), the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has said.

ERA works by using plastic explosives placed in between two metal plates, which is then fitted to a tank.

When hit with a missile, the ERA explodes, detonating the missile before it enters the tank, protecting it from more serious damage.

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When used correctly, ERA decreases the effectiveness of missiles just as they strike a tank.

According to the MOD, Russian forces have had a "poor" culture of using ERA "which dates back to the First Chechen War in 1994".

In an intelligence update posted on Twitter, the MOD also said it was "highly likely that many Russian tank crews lack the training to maintain ERA" – resulting in either the poor fitting of ERA or it being left off Russian tanks completely.

These shortcomings have seen widespread turret ejections – a design in the Russian T-72 tank that sees the 12-tonne turret thrown into the sky when they are severely hit.

The MOD said that the war has also seen Russian commanders fail to "enforce low-level battle discipline – such as the use of ERA".

"The cumulative effect of these failures is likely a significant factor behind the poor performance of Russia's forces," the MOD added.