Russian T‑90M Proryv tanks to be equipped with devastating Telnik missiles, sources claim
So far, Moscow has not officially confirmed that T-90M Proryv tanks are furnished with the missiles above. However, according to the sources that the Bulgarian Military is citing, all Russian vehicles assembled in Ukraine are due to carry the Telnik rounds.
Nevertheless, it's worth highlighting that in October 2023, evidence emerged validating the use of 3VOF128 tank rounds by the aggressor's army. At that moment, the Kremlin did not disclose that this solution was part of all T-90M's equipment.
In the face of challenges in penetrating the defence of Ukraine and numerous losses of heavy vehicles, the Russians might have, over time, decided to supply the latest tanks with these novel missiles. As reports suggest, these missiles are designed to cause both physical and psychological damage. The latter stems from the attributes of the stated ammunition. Telnik missiles are designed to explode at a precise location after being launched, releasing submunitions and effectively saturating the enemy with a barrage of shrapnel.
Missiles of this sort target large expanses, devastating everything in their path while also inducing psychological trauma. The sudden burst of the missile mid-air and the release of numerous fragments of unpredictable trajectory can invoke terror and disorientation.
We read that "what is unsettling is that the psychological impact may not be temporary". The effect of the explosion could, according to the Bulgarian Military, be long-lasting and could engender mental health issues among soldiers. This could potentially result in their removal from frontline combat and subsequently impede the stability of allied positions.
The Telnik missiles in question align with the proportions of a standard 125 mm 3OF26 fragmentation and omnidirectional projectile. Nevertheless, due to a system facilitating remote detonation of 3VOF128 in flight, the round is considered a far more potent tool from which escape proves difficult. This is because Telnik inundates the affected area with nearly 6 kilograms (rounded) of supplementary ammunition (cone-shaped fragments). Estimates suggest it is eight times more efficient at neutralising enemy forces than the 3OF26 above.
It's important to note that using the 3VOF128 projectile is only feasible in certain tanks. In 2023, only the T-90M Proryv was adapted to this ammunition. This is primarily because the warhead's fuze necessitates data transmission from the tank's fire control system. Last year, only the most state-of-the-art Russian T-90Ms came equipped with this tool.
