Ukrainian T‑64 tank triumphs in close-quarters clash

The war in Ukraine is highly chaotic, and the use of similar equipment by both sides makes identifying "friend or foe" very challenging. Essentially, the only identification markers are Ukrainian flags or Z/V signs on vehicles.

In addition, drone pilots assist platoon or company commanders in identifying objects and relaying this data to vehicle crews. This may have been the case when the crew of the Ukrainian T-64 tank realized that the approaching vehicle was Russian.

It is not an MT-LB but some variant of the BTR-80/82 carrier, as the vehicle is too long for an MT-LB and shows visible wheel outlines rather than tracks. The Ukrainian T-64 tank fired at it from several dozen yards, causing the hit BTR to crash into nearby trees. Most likely, the entire crew perished because the 125 mm shell either passed through or exploded inside if it was a fragmentation shell.

T-64 tanks, which debuted in the 1960s, stood out for their advanced technology and innovation compared to their predecessors. However, their complex design made production and maintenance difficult in the Soviet Union, creating the simpler and cheaper T-72 model. Despite this, T-64s were used alongside T-72s in the USSR, though they were never exported.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, T-64s became the foundation of Ukraine's armored forces. Production continued in Kharkiv, where the Malyshev factory was located. Meanwhile, Russia focused on developing its tanks in the T-72 series.

Over the years, T-64 tanks have undergone numerous modernizations. Starting in the 1980s, the USSR initiated upgrades BW, followed by Ukrainian modifications such as the T-64BM Bulat, T-64BW 2017, T-64BM2 Bulat, and T-64BW 2022, which were co-produced by Poland and the Czech Republic.

Ukrainian variants of T-64 tanks are equipped with advanced reactive armor known as "Knife." It surpasses Contact-1 and Contact-5 solutions using shaped charges instead of conventional explosives. This protects against rounds with a single-shaped charge warhead and even kinetic APFSDS-T penetrators. Striking the right spots on the reactive armor can cut these rounds into pieces.

Since 2017, T-64 tanks have been equipped with modern fire control systems featuring thermal cameras. These systems provide a significant advantage in combat at night or in adverse weather conditions compared to all T-72 models below the B3 version and T-80 models below the BWM version.

However, it is important to note that this is still a post-Soviet design with an autoloader whose ammunition magazine is located in the hull and is not isolated from the crew. Any penetrating hit has the potential to cause a massive explosion, resulting in a spectacular turret detachment.