The Russian T-90 Main Battle Tank, once the pinnacle of Soviet-era military might, now serves as a stark illustration of vulnerability in the contemporary battlefield, as seen in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Drone footage released by Ukraine’s 47th Mechanised Brigade claims to show the Russian T-90 coming under heavy fire from close range in the Donetsk town of Stepove.

A design aimed at superseding older tanks, the T-90, including its modernized variant the T-90M, has faced significant losses to Ukraine’s use of Western-made anti-tank weaponry and domestic drones.

Reports suggest an alarming number of these tanks have been destroyed.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimating nearly 3,000 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) lost by Moscow.

Open-source intelligence tracker Oryx concurring with figures just shy of 2,850.

The recent destruction of a T-90 tank by Ukrainian drones, as depicted in widely circulated social media footage.

The T-90’s upgrades such as the Shtora-1 countermeasures suite, featuring a laser warning system and infrared dazzlers, and a new gun with enhanced range, their battlefield efficacy has been undermined by advancements in enemy tactics and technology.

Like all other currently deployed Russian tanks, the T-90M uses 125mm ammunition and can fire either HE, APFSDS or HE-FRAG rounds.

The vulnerabilities of the T-90 were further highlighted in a reported engagement where Ukraine’s US-supplied Bradley infantry fighting vehicles disabled one of Russia’s most advanced tanks, the T-90M.

The footage suggests a lack of adequate response from the Russian tank to the Bradley’s 25mm cannon fire, resulting in significant damage and the eventual flight of its crew.

The observed resilience of the T-90M, despite being overwhelmed, may be comparable to that of Western tanks like the British Challenger 2 and German Leopard 2.

The Russian emphasis on firepower and mobility over protective armor and the apparent inexperience of the tank crews have left the T-90M at a distinct disadvantage on the battlefield.

The conflict in Ukraine continuing, the Russian T-90 tanks are facing a severe trial by fire.

Their advanced design and the heritage of Soviet tank engineering, they are increasingly appearing as relics of a bygone era when faced with modern anti-tank methods, precision drone strikes, and the adaptive tactics of Ukrainian forces.

Relevant articles:
– Russia’s T-90 Main Battle Tank Nightmare , National Intererst, 05/29/2024
– Russian gains in Ukraine push White House to reconsider red lines – The Washington Post, The Washington Post, 05/29/2024
– Watch: Russia’s most advanced tank destroyed by US Bradley fighting vehicle, Yahoo News Canada, 05/26/2024