Ukraine repels attack, seizing Russia's "best tank" near Terni

According to reports and information on social media, the successful defence is attributed to the efforts of the Ukrainian army's 63rd and 60th Separate Mechanized Brigades. Their use of artillery and numerous UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) allowed them to destroy several Russian vehicles.

Photos and footage shared allowed observers in Ukraine to estimate that the defenders captured at least five Russian infantry fighting vehicles from the BMP family and an equal number of tanks used in this assault. Among these were T-72B3 and T-90M, the latter referred to as "Putin's pride".

During a visit to an armament factory in February this year, Vladimir Putin claimed that the T-90M "is the best tank in the world". Notably, this model is the latest in the T-90 family, which started production in 1992. Essentially, they represent a significant modernization of the T-72 tanks. The T-90M stands out as an advanced design and the most formidable tank currently at the disposal of the Russian army.

Compared to its older, often post-Soviet counterparts, the T-90M offers superior offensive capabilities, equipped with a 125 mm 2A46M-5 cannon complemented by an advanced fire control system with French thermal imaging. Furthermore, the tank's crew can access two machine guns - a 7.62 mm and a 12.7 mm. It is also fortified with Relikt reactive armour modules, enhancing the turret and hull protection. On a paved surface, the T-90M can reach up to about 40 mph (around 64 km/h).

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has, however, exposed the T-90M's vulnerabilities contrary to Russian claims. Ukrainian forces have destroyed several of these tanks, and investigations into captured models revealed that the T-90M falls short of expectations, being labelled "a failure rather than a breakthrough." Issues identified include an engine that performs below the official specifications, vulnerable microelectronics, and poor radio communication capabilities.