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Russian Bridging Tank Blown Up Moments Before Spanning Ukrainian Trench, Video
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukraine’s 141st Mechanized Brigade has successfully destroyed a Russian bridge-layer vehicle that was attempting to breach a Ukrainian anti-tank ditch, according to a video shared on social media by Ukrainian military observers.
In the footage, a Russian MTU-72 armored bridge-layer can be seen moving toward a Ukrainian trench line, likely aiming to deploy a mobile bridge to enable the passage of heavy armored vehicles.
Before the vehicle could complete its task, it was hit with a precise FPV drone strike, disabling it instantly.
Ukrainian 141st Mechanized Brigade disables a Russian bridge-layer heading toward an anti-tank ditch—likely in an attempt to set up a crossing. pic.twitter.com/jHEhM0RNKT
— Ivan Khomenko (@KhomenkoIv60065) June 23, 2025
“This is what true control of the battlefield looks like,” the Ukrainian Ground Forces wrote in a post highlighting the operation. “One accurate FPV drone strike—and the enemy’s plans are destroyed.”
The destroyed vehicle in the video appears to be an MTU-72, a Soviet-designed armored bridge-layer based on the chassis of the T-72 main battle tank.
Developed in the 1970s, the MTU-72 is designed to deploy a 20-meter-long bridge in under three minutes, allowing tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to cross trenches, rivers, and other obstacles.
The bridge is laid horizontally by extending it from the vehicle’s hull using a hydraulic launching system. The MTU-72 offers basic armor protection but is not designed for frontline combat—making it a vulnerable yet vital target during offensive operations.
Russia has used these vehicles in attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses, particularly in areas fortified with deep anti-tank ditches and minefields. Disabling such equipment not only stalls Russian advances but also significantly reduces their mobility and operational tempo.
Earlier, Ukraine’s 66th Mechanized Brigade destroyed a rare Russian KRVD road deployment system as it attempted to assist in a river crossing over the Chornyi Zherebets. The FPV drone strike marked the first confirmed loss of this type of vehicle, which is used to rapidly lay temporary roadways for armored movement.
