New Ukrainian munition rattles the cages of Russian tanks and armoured vehicles

Ukrainian drone strikes have forced Russia to roll out protective cages for military vehicles engaged in its so-called Special Military Operation.

Up to now they've offered protection from drones, shielding personnel from the blast of an exploding munition or preventing drone-delivered anti-tank munitions, which pierce armour with explosively formed penetrators, from getting close enough.

Now those cages may have been rendered useless by a new type of munition.

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The FRAGS munition can be delivered via drones, and it is hoped it can do the job anti-tank and armour-piercing munitions have struggled with.

One variant of the weapon includes a shock or impact core with a charge that allows its kinetic punch to be delivered behind the protective grid, penetrating armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles.

The FRAGS are thought to have a blast range of up to eight metres and can pierce armour around Russian tanks.  

During Russia's full-scale invasion, which began in 2022, tank units found themselves continuously targeted by Ukrainian drones.

Russia responsed with cage armour, and in April this year videos on social media seemed to show what became known as the 'Turtle Tank', vehicles that appeared to have a protective shell around the vehicle.

One theory is that the modification offers extra protection to infantry riding on the tank.