A video from February of this year has surfaced online, showing that the Russian occupation forces are likely using or planning to use ATS-59G tractors on the battlefield as makeshift transporters. In the video, highlighted by Andrii Tarasenko (btvt.info), at least two ATS-59G vehicles can be seen.
One of these vehicles is equipped with improvised drone protection, while the other has been essentially converted into an infantry transporter using a "tortoise" design—featuring a metal frame, screens, and netting. The video also displays two main battle tanks, the T-72B3 and T-80U.
It remains unclear how widespread this phenomenon is within the Russian military, but in any case, the enemy is experiencing significant losses in equipment and is attempting to fill in the gaps in various ways.
This is not the first time ATS-59G tractors have appeared in photos or videos, both as "transporters" and armed vehicles.
Back in 2023, we reported that the Russians were equipping ATS-59G tractors with naval anti-aircraft systems 2M-3M
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Additionally, in 2024, ATS-59G vehicles have been spotted in "tortoise" configurations.