Russian T‑90M tanks face devastating losses in Ukraine conflict
Russian T-90M tanks, praised by the Kremlin, are suffering heavy losses in Ukraine, notes former U.S. Army officer Brent Eastwood on the 19FortyFive portal. The expert's article is titled, "Russia is Terrified."
The Russian T-90M Proryv tanks, which were supposed to be the pride of the Russian army, are turning out to be easy targets for the Ukrainian armed forces. According to analysis by the Oryx portal, in 2024, at least 100 of these machines have been destroyed, damaged, or abandoned on the battlefield. Some of them were seized by the Ukrainians in perfect condition because Russian soldiers fled from the machines on the battlefield. Thanks to this, Ukrainian engineers were able to gather valuable information on the T-90M's design, learning the strengths and weaknesses of these tanks.
Losses and their consequences
The losses of the T-90M are not only a blow to Russian military technology but also to its image. British intelligence indicates that the loss of these "prestigious" tanks forces Russia to increase production of other models. Despite its modern design, the T-90M does not meet expectations on the battlefield.
The destruction of the T-90M Proryv tanks is also said to harm the morale of Russian soldiers, Eastwood claims, citing British intelligence.
Technical problems
Despite advanced technology, such as the new 125 mm cannon and Relikt dynamic armor, the T-90M tanks have serious flaws. One of the main problems is their vulnerability to internal ammunition explosions, which can lead to the destruction of the entire turret. Eastwood also points out that despite the enhanced armor compared to older Russian tanks, the T-90M Proryv is still vulnerable to attacks, even from lighter enemy vehicles.
The expert cites "one of the embarrassing facts," which is the destruction of the vehicle by a much smaller Bradley fighting vehicle. "There is no way a T-90M with that excellent armor package should be destroyed by a Bradley 25mm Bushmaster chain gun," he states. This is one of the events that, according to Eastwood, has led Russians to wonder what is wrong with their tank.
The 19FortyFive portal also reports that the Russian defense industry is struggling to keep up with the production of new tanks. Currently, it can only produce about 40 T-90M units annually. Despite this, Russia continues to send these tanks to the front lines, although their effectiveness in modern warfare is increasingly questioned.
T-90M Proryv tanks
The T-90M Proryv is one of the most advanced tanks in the arsenal of Russian mechanized forces. It is equipped with a modern 125 mm 2A46M-5 gun and an upgraded Kalina fire control system. Additional protection is provided by Relikt reactive armor, which shields both the turret and the vehicle's body. The tank's armament is complemented by two machine guns with calibers of 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm.
