Russian pride shattered: Ukrainian forces destroy T‑90M tank

The Russian Federation's army has recorded another loss in its arsenal. This time, it was the best tank currently in Russian service, the T-90M Proryv. The Ukrainians destroyed Putin's pride with a modern Bonus artillery missile.

The Russians regularly try to replace losses caused by destroyed military vehicles on the front. However, the Ukrainians effectively hinder this effort, as evidenced by the continuous documented destruction of the most valuable Russian constructions. On many occasions, the heroes of these eliminations were the T-90M Proryv tanks – machines that, according to Putin, were supposed to be the "best in the world."

The reality, however, proved brutal for the Russian arms industry. Putin's pride is vulnerable even to attacks carried out by such small weapons as kamikaze drones. It's worth mentioning that in the case of a strike by significantly more powerful missiles, the T-90M remains essentially defenceless.

Exactly such a scenario took place in Zaporizhzhia, where a Russian tank was hit by precise Bonus artillery ammunition. The outcome of this encounter could not have been different. Its effect is presented in the footage on, among others, the Ukrainian portal Militarny.

Let us recall that the T-90M Proryv is a tank protected by Relikt reactive armour. Indeed, this guarantees safety when hits by small missiles or amateur kamikaze drones. However, following a hit by 155mm artillery ammunition, the T-90M Proryv’s defensive capabilities do not ensure the safety of the crew.

The offensive capabilities of this tank are provided by the 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun, measuring 125mm in calibre, which is paired with the Kalina fire control system. The T-90M Proryv is powered by an engine that generates 1360 horsepower and propels the vehicle to a speed of 65 km/h.

Concerning the weapon used by the Ukrainians to shell the Russian tank, it was the Swedish 155mm cluster missile, the 155 FFV Bonus. Its production is managed by the company FFV Bofors Ordnance.

The main characteristic of the Bonus ammunition is the presence of two self-guided submunitions in a larger shell. Once fired from artillery, the shell opens at an altitude of about 1000 metres above the target. Subsequently, the two submunitions, each weighing 6.4kg, deploy stabilisers to ensure steady flight and then activate infrared sensors (at an altitude of 150 metres) before striking the target.

The range of the Swedish Bonus ammunition is rated at a maximum of 26km, allowing the Ukrainians to attack Russian units from a safe distance with minimal risk of detection based on the launch location in the immediate vicinity.