Ukraine captures Russian T‑90S tank, boosts frontline arsenal
The Ukrainians have captured one of the Russian T-90S "Bhishma" tanks, which is the export version for the Indian army. The tank, abandoned by the Russians on the battlefield, will now be used by Ukrainian soldiers of the K-2 battalion from the 54th brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to fight against the enemy. What is known about it?
Soldiers from the Ukrainian K-2 battalion captured a Russian T-90 tank and shared a video showing the moment the vehicle was seized on social media. Initially, the Ukrainians were unable to determine which version of the tank they had due to the anti-drone protection installed on it. After a thorough inspection, they realized the Russians had abandoned a model intended for the Indian army—the T-90S "Bhishma." According to the Ukrainian news service Militarny, the captured T-90S tank will now be used by the soldiers of the K-2 battalion.
T-90S in the hands of Ukrainians
The T-90S "Bhishma" tank is a modified version of the Russian T-90, tailored to the needs of the Indian armed forces. Named after a legendary warrior from the Indian epic "Mahabharata," it embodies strength and resilience on the modern battlefield. This tank, a cornerstone of Indian armored forces, was developed through collaboration between Russia and India, considering the specific climatic and operational needs of the region.
The T-90S differs from the standard T-90 through several significant modifications. A key change is the locally developed battle management system, which enhances commanders' ability to make quick decisions and effectively direct fire in dynamic combat situations.
The tank also has improved air conditioning systems. Noteworthy is its advanced ballistic protection, including the Kontakt-5 reactive armor and the integration of the modern Shtora-1 active defense system, which disrupts laser-guided anti-tank missiles.
The primary armament of the T-90S is a 125 mm 2A46M smoothbore gun, capable of firing various munitions, such as anti-tank, high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), and armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds. It can also launch 9M119 Refleks guided missiles, significantly extending the range and effectiveness of its fire.
The tank is powered by a V-92S2 diesel engine producing 1,000 horsepower. Thanks to this engine, the vehicle can reach a maximum speed of approximately 37 mph on roads and 22-25 mph off-road. Its operational range is up to about 311 miles, which can be further increased with external fuel tanks.
