Ukrainian forces destroyed an improvised vehicle used by Russian troops during an attempted advance in Vovchansk, in the Kharkiv region.
According to Ukraine’s 57th Motorized Brigade, the action was carried out in coordination between drone operators and artillery units, preventing the convoy from reaching its objective.
Images released by the Vovkodavy unit show an unusual vehicle built from a truck with a trailer reinforced by metal structures. Nicknamed “MAD IVAN”, the equipment drew attention because of its improvised appearance and considerable size, which ultimately made it easier for Ukrainian forces to identify.
The video records the moment reconnaissance drones track the vehicle as it moves through the devastated streets of the city. Once the target entered a more exposed area, FPV drones began a series of strikes, while artillery supported the operation. Even after the first impacts, the vehicle continued moving forward for a short period before being definitively neutralized.
Ukrainian military authorities say Russia has increasingly resorted to adapted vehicles and civilian platforms to replace equipment lost in the conflict. Despite these adaptations, the intensive use of surveillance and attack drones continues to make this type of solution highly vulnerable on the battlefield.
Russians apparently decided to go full Mad Max.
They took a truck, chopped the roof off, hooked up a trailer, and turned the whole thing into some kind of improvised pontoon — apparently meant to get them across the river.
Once we caught on to what they were trying to do, we… pic.twitter.com/LdFuhrqe7O
— Вовкодави Вовчанська | Wolfhounds of Vovchansk (@vovkodavy34) May 30, 2026
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @vovkodavy34 | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
