Ukrainian forces neutralize Putin's prized T‑90M tank in tactical strike
During a recent tour of the Uralvagonzavod armament conglomerate's facilities, Vladimir Putin said that the "T-90 Breakthrough is arguably the best tank in the world." The Russian president suggested it would undergo further development, with upgraded models to follow. The latest version, the T-90M, has seen several units destroyed by the Ukrainians, who on this occasion used a drone to drop explosive charges—a tactic frequently employed in the current conflict.
The Ukrainians destroy the T-90M
A brief video surfaced on social media with a description. It informs us that the destruction of this T-90M resulted from the efforts of the 63rd Ukrainian mechanized brigade operating in the Donetsk region. The Russian tank was first immobilized and then completely destroyed at night.
The T-90 is a series of modern main battle tanks produced in Russia since the late 1980s and early 1990s. Several variants exist, with the standard T-90 being the most common, but the T-90M Breakthrough discussed here is considered the most advanced.
Over recent months, the Ukrainians have eliminated several such tanks. Inspections of wreckages and captured specimens reveal the T-90M Breakthrough to be a "failure instead of a breakthrough." According to Ukrainian reports, this pride of the Russian military has a weaker engine than advertised, microelectronics vulnerable to damage, and faces challenges in radio communication. In some aspects, it mirrors the older T-72, using an identical system for ammunition storage and loading.
The valuable Russian tank
Despite its flaws, the T-90M Breakthrough remains among the most formidable armored vehicles at Russia's disposal in Ukraine. This tank provides much better protection than older Soviet models, which barely safeguarded the crew. The T-90M Breakthrough features, among other elements, "Relikt" reactive armor aimed at enhancing the safety of both turret and hull.
Its attacking capabilities are noteworthy. It boasts a 125mm smoothbore 2A46M-5 gun, an enhanced Kalina fire control system, and machine guns of 7.62mm and 12.7mm calibre.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) reported in February that since the onset of the war in Ukraine, the invaders have lost over 3,000 tanks. Each T-90M is estimated to cost about £3.6 million.
