Ukrainian drones cripple Russian T‑80 tanks in latest battlefield success
Ukrainian forces commonly use FPV (first-person view) drones, which have proven invaluable on the battlefield. A video has emerged showing the 59th Separate Mechanized Infantry Brigade conducting a drone and artillery attack on Russian armoured forces attempting to launch an assault near Krasnohorivka.
FPV drones enable soldiers to carry out surveillance and strike missions on the modern battlefield with precision and minimal risk to the operators. These drones can effectively neutralise targets, even in challenging terrain conditions, thanks to high-definition cameras and advanced navigation systems.
Modern weaponry is frequently used to attack Russian forces, resulting in significant losses in armoured units. According to the latest data, Russians are losing tanks at a rate that makes it impossible to replenish their losses.
Successful FPV drone attack
A video of the 59th Separate Mechanized Infantry Brigade attacking Russian armoured forces attempting to advance near Krasnohorivka has surfaced.
Ukrainian forces launched an artillery and drone attack on Russian T-80BVM and T-80BV tanks and BMP infantry fighting vehicles. Even the cage armour meant to protect the equipment from drone attacks proved ineffective.
Russians are losing T-80 tanks en masse
The T-80 is a third-generation main battle tank designed and manufactured in the former Soviet Union (production later continued in Russia). During the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Federation deployed a large number of these machines, which the Ukrainians are widely destroying —according to Oryx, most of the destroyed tanks are the T-80BV and T-80BVM versions.
Upgrades introduced in the T-80BVM version included several improvements. These included modifications to the main gun, significantly enhancing its efficiency. The autoloader was also changed, contributing to increased speed and precision of operation. Enhancements in night vision devices significantly improved nighttime observation capabilities. The tank's protection was also addressed, introducing modern solutions to increase its resistance to attacks. Additionally, efforts were made to reduce fuel consumption, which extended the tank's range.
The tank can accommodate a 3-person crew and boasts impressive dimensions. Its weight is approximately 46 metric tonnes, its length is 10 metres, its width is 3.7 metres, and its height is 2.1 metres. Due to improvements in fuel efficiency, the range is estimated at 500 kilometres. As for speed, the tank can reach up to 76 km/h on paved roads, dropping to a maximum of 45 km/h when travelling off-road.
The T-80BVM model is equipped with a 2A46M-4 smoothbore gun of 125 mm calibre. This gun can fire a wide range of ammunition, including 9M119M Refleks guided missiles, which can travel from 100 metres to 5 kilometres. The tank's additional armament includes a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun and a 12.7 mm NSVT machine gun. The T-80BVM tank also has 8 smoke grenade launchers, enhancing its defensive capabilities.
