Wire “spikes” covering the entire hull and a minimum of exposed areas — this is what one combat vehicle, aptly nicknamed “Hedgehog,” looks like today.

The 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi reported this, publishing photos of the unusually modified IFV.

According to the military, the vehicle is not used for continuous operations on the front line, but selectively — when a critical mission needs to be completed as quickly as possible. Most often, “Hedgehog” is deployed to evacuate the wounded, deliver ammunition, or carry out short fire missions.

That is why the armored vehicle has been literally covered with additional protection made of metal structures and wire elements. In modern warfare, where FPV drones are increasingly becoming the main threat, such improvised “spikes” can change the outcome of an attack.

The military explain that the additional protection increases the vehicle’s weight and makes it less maneuverable. However, this is a deliberate trade-off — the structure is designed to make it harder for a drone to reach the hull or force the munition to detonate before contacting the main armor.

The 58th Brigade emphasizes that the war is constantly forcing military equipment to adapt to new threats. What would have looked unusual just a few years ago is now becoming a field modification born on the front line.