Russia's tank reserves depleting as losses outpace production

The Russian Federation is most likely running out of tank reserves, according to a publication by Newsweek, which refers to an analysis of satellite images conducted by artificial intelligence and initially reported by the German newspaper "Süddeutsche Zeitung".

As the Ukrainian agency Unian explained, the artificial intelligence model examined satellite images of 87 Russian military facilities, including 16 bases where the Russians store tanks, artillery systems, and armoured personnel carriers. Analysts counted exactly how many tanks were in these facilities before the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in 2022 and compared it to the current count.

One of these bases is the 111th Central Tank Reserve Base of the Army in southeastern Russia. In April 2021, it had 857 tanks, and it is now almost empty, as satellite images show, reports Newsweek. The Russians are reported to have moved nearly half of the tanks out of this base by October 2022, which is within a few months of the conflict's start. Analysis of other facilities in the territory of the Russian Federation reveals similar problems for the Russians.

The shortages in the arsenal of the Russian Federation are evident in many bases, according to the Newsweek publication. Dr. Michael Gjerstad, an International Institute for Strategic Studies analyst, confirms this. The military expert calculates that according to estimates, the Russians "still have about 3,200 tanks in storage". However, the condition of the machines remaining in storage is significant. Most of them are in poor technical condition and require significant repairs, Gjerstad notes.

It should also be emphasized that, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Russians have lost over 8,000 tanks since the war began. Gustav Gressel of the European Council on Foreign Relations supports this, highlighting that "the Russians are losing significantly more equipment than they can replace, and their reserves are depleting."

Although analysts say the Russian Federation's army reserves are dwindling, it should not be forgotten that the local defence industry continues to produce, modernize, or repair damaged vehicles. These, in turn, are regularly sent to the front as part of subsequent deliveries. Although analyst Gustav Gressel emphasizes that current production cannot cover the losses, the equipment the Russians are sending to combat should not be underestimated.

Recently, the Russian Federation has been supplying many T-90M Proryv tanks to the fight, which are the latest designs in Putin's arsenal and the most threatening to Ukrainians. This equipment is protected by Relikt reactive armor (covering the turret and hull). At the same time, its offensive capabilities are provided by the 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun coupled with the Kalina fire control system. The T-90M Proryv is powered by an engine generating about 1,000 horsepower, accelerating the vehicle to a maximum speed of 40 mph.