Russian forces' blunder revealed in botched attack near Novomykhailivka
While experts predict a static war in the forthcoming weeks, sporadic attacks continue. In this instance, the Russians not only faced defeat but also committed a notable error. The footage illustrates a large formation of armoured vehicles manoeuvring, during which two tanks collided. They were identified as T-72s, one of the tanks most commonly used by the Russians.
It should be noted that this incident occurred at a safe location without any Ukrainian firing aimed at the Russians. Russian bloggers say this significant blunder reveals critical flaws within Putin's forces.
Collision of Russian T-72s
"Utter foolishness and incompetence," wrote one of the Russian bloggers quoted in a Forbes article. The article shed light on the subpar military training in Russia, which seems to have worsened. The Russians compensate for the losses experienced during the war by enlisting new soldiers, many lacking basic skills.
The tank drivers' apparent lack of situational awareness, as seen in the recording, presumably led to the collision, immobilising one of the vehicles. Ultimately, during an offensive endeavour near Novomykhailivka, the attackers lost their entire formation - at least three tanks, seven MT-LB armoured personnel carriers, and an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV).
Key features of the T-72
The first versions of the T-72 have been in production since 1973. This tank is powered by a 1,047-horsepower engine, enabling it to reach speeds of about 60 km/h (37 mph) on roads and approximately 40 km/h (25 mph) off-road.
The primary weapon of this post-Soviet model is a 125mm 2A46M gun, equipped to use three types of shells: anti-tank, fragmentation, and a high-explosive anti-tank warhead. In addition, the T-72 comes fitted with two 7.62 mm machine guns and either a DShK or NSW large-calibre 12.7 mm machine gun. Some T-72 tanks may also feature a smoke grenade launcher.
At their inception, the T-72 tanks were considered state-of-the-art designs. Their success led to multiple updates over the years, incorporating further enhancements. The T-72s are the forerunners of the T-90M, currently the top-of-the-line Russian tanks.
