Russian T‑54 tanks head to Ukraine amidst controversy

A video circulating online shows a train with Russian T-54 tanks near Moscow. According to OSINT experts, the video was recorded recently, and the tanks are most likely heading to Ukraine. However, there are doubts about the decision to send these old tanks; the first T-54s rolled off the production line in 1946. What is known about these machines?

The T-54 tanks and their development, the T-55, are nothing new in Ukraine. These machines have been on the front line since the beginning of the war. However, they are among the Russian army's oldest tanks still in service. The T-54, a Soviet first-generation post-war main battle tank, was developed at the Design Bureau of Plant No. 183 under A.A. Morozov's direction as the successor to the T-34 tank. Its prototype was created in 1946. Shortly after that, mass production of the first version of the vehicle, the T-54 Model 1946, began. In the following years, more models were produced with various improvements.

A significant drawback of this tank is its weak protection. Its armor consists solely of steel, meaning that most modern anti-tank handheld weapons with shaped charges can penetrate it. Hence, the T-54 crew faces considerable risk, mainly when operating close to the front line.

According to Military History, approximately 86,000 to 100,000 units of T-54 and T-55 tanks were produced. These were gradually replaced by newer designs such as the T-72, T-80, and T-90. This source also notes that the T-54 and T-55 did not engage directly with NATO tanks, but early in the Cold War, they prompted other countries to strengthen their armored forces. For instance, the United Kingdom developed the new Royal Ordnance L7 tank gun, and the United States created the M60 Patton main battle tank.

It cannot be ruled out that in Ukraine, Russian T-54 and T-55 tanks have engaged in battles with NATO tanks. Western allies have provided Kyiv with many different models of tanks, including the American M1A1 Abrams (seen in Ukraine with additional reinforcements in the form of Kontakt-1 reactive armor and anti-drone cages) and Leopard 2A4 tanks produced by the German defense industry.