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There are metal beams. That is it.

For Americans and Russians alike, the Czech hedgehog is a simple anti-tank defense that evokes images of World War II. During the Normandy landings, Allied soldiers had to navigate beaches. The furthest Nazi soldiers got to the capital city was marked by a monument.

Black and white image of service members on a beach standing amid dozens of simple metal structures, each about 5 feet high.
In this picture taken on June 1944 on a beach in Normandy, Royal Marine commandos prepare to demolish the obstacles designed to prevent an Allied forces landing. (Photo by AFP)
Anti-tank obstacles line a snowy field in front of large buildings in the distance.
1963, Berlin Wall, border at Potsdamer Platz, anti-tank obstacle defense, Czech hedgehogs. (Photo by Sobottaullstein bild via Getty Images)

The country of Ukraine is trying to slow down the Russian invasion. They dot the beaches of Odesa, fill the streets of Kyiv, and are present at key checkpoint. They are being made into an anti-tank barricade by many Ukrainian civilians.

An armed soldier stands guard at a roadblock.
An armed Territorial Defense soldier stands guard at a roadblock in Kyiv on Monday. (Pavlo Bagmut/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

What are Czech hedgehogs and how do they work?

The metal beams are sealed together at angles. A third beam is added to allow the hedgehog to function even if it is moved or tipped over. Vehicles trying to drive over the beams become stuck or damaged, stalling the enemy from making further progress. The vehicle is vulnerable to more advanced anti-tank weapons because of the delay.

Anti-tank obstacles line an urban road as pedestrians walk along the sidewalk.
Czech hedgehogs on central Derybasivska Street, Odesa, southern Ukraine, on March 9. (Photo by Nina Liashonok/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

When were they created?

Since the 1930's, the Czechs have used steel hedgehogs to protect towns and cities. The barriers were built to protect Czechoslovakia from Germany before World War II and were later used by the Germans. They were part of Nazi Germany's attempt to stop allies from landing on beaches ahead of D-Day. The Soviet Union used them as anti-tank defenses during the war. They have been used throughout the world.

Black-and-white image of tanks on an urban road strewn with debris.
The Nazi propaganda picture shows burned-out tanks in Kharkiv after the recapture by the German Wehrmacht in March 1943. (Photo by Berliner Verlag/Archiv/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Who is making them in Ukraine?

Anyone with access to metal girders and welding equipment. Old railroad ties are being used to create obstacles. On the first day of the war, my brother came to me and said we need anti-tank obstacles. At the time he was building the house, he realized that some of the materials he was using could be used to make defensive barriers. They were brought all over the country by the Ukrainian soldiers and were invented by someone. We couldn't imagine that we would ever do this. We are peaceful people.

Four men in a workshop as one welds roughly four-feet-long steel beams together to form a cross.
People make anti-tank Czech hedgehogs in Lviv. (Photo by Mykola Tys/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Eight people stand outside near partially completed Czech hedgehogs, as a welder holds together sections of steel beams.
People making Czech hedgehogs in Lviv, Ukraine. (Photo by Mykola Tys/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

_____

How are Ukrainian forces taking out so many Russian tanks?

The US is sending weapons systems to the Ukrainian army.

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