Russians send Soviet-era tanks packed with explosives into Ukraine

Russian soldiers are packing defunct, Soviet-era tanks with devastating explosives and rolling them directly into Ukrainian positions in the latest desperate attempt by the Kremlin to gain an advantage on the battlefield.

In video footage posted online, a 70-year-old T-54 tank rigged with six tons of explosives could be seen guided by remote control as it rolls toward a Ukrainian trench.

The vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, however, is obliterated into a cloud of dust and smoke when it suddenly strikes a mine before being demolished by a Ukrainian anti-tank missile, according to Forbes.

The massive explosion took place just about 200 feet from Ukrainian soldiers, some of whom may have been killed or injured by the blast.

The clandestine move by Russian forces shows the desperation of Moscow and Russian President Vladimir Putin 16 months into a difficult and protracted conflict.

Russian media claimed that the remote-controlled explosive device caused a number of Ukrainian casualties but those figures could not be confirmed.

The T-54 tanks are virtually useless on the battlefield and considered a last-ditch effort by Russia’s military, which has lost thousands of soldiers in the conflict.

The latest move of desperation came just days after Russian hypersonic and cruise missiles pounded Kyiv Friday.

The attack took place as a high-ranking delegation of African leaders and top officials arrived in Ukraine to discuss peace options.

The Ukrainian air force reported that it shot down six Russian Kalibr cruise missiles, six Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missiles and two reconnaissance drones. No deaths have been reported.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said the strike on Kyiv during the delegation’s visit showed that Putin either did not control his army, or was “irrational.”

In a statement, Zelensky said that he had called on the leaders to set out their views on how to stop the “crimes committed by Russia,” and how to work towards food security.

“But first of all, we must restore the full force of the UN Charter and stop this brutal Russian aggression and free our land,” he added.

The meeting came as Ukraine announced territorial gains.

Despite Putin claiming on Friday that Kyiv’s forces “stand no chance,” Ukraine on Sunday said it recaptured Piatykhatky, a village in the southern Zaporizhzhia region — the second area claimed since the launch of its counteroffensive last week.