>They're a relic since Russia's war in Chechnya where those cages could protect against ancient RPGs fired from buildings in narrow city streets.
Actually even in 1945 facing Panzerfausts in European cities Soviet tankists tried to similarly bolt/weld onto the top of the turret the spring metal bed frames. It didn't work well if any. While at the same time it showed the precise position of the tank while in bushes, far in the field/etc. Ukrainians have been joking about those "chicken coops" showing the tank position as another sign of a Russian fail and lack of thinking through in this war.
Actually even in 1945 facing Panzerfausts in European cities Soviet tankists tried to similarly bolt/weld onto the top of the turret the spring metal bed frames. It didn't work well if any. While at the same time it showed the precise position of the tank while in bushes, far in the field/etc. Ukrainians have been joking about those "chicken coops" showing the tank position as another sign of a Russian fail and lack of thinking through in this war.