Ukrainian forces secure advanced Russian T‑72B3 tank
One of the Ukrainian brigades captured a Russian T-72B3 tank in the Kurakhove region. We describe this equipment's capabilities and explain why its loss will be significant for the Russians.
The war in eastern Ukraine continues, with battles frequently shifting to new territories. Both sides of the conflict continue to utilise various types of weaponry, often capturing it from the opponent on the battlefield. Capturing enemy equipment has become a common occurrence, especially amid intense fighting. One Ukrainian brigade managed to capture a rare Russian T-90S tank. This is not the only recent achievement of the Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainians captured a T‑72B3 tank
This time, the 35th Independent Marine Brigade captured a Russian T-72B3 tank in the Kurakhove region. According to Militarnyi service sources, the vehicle was seized during an assault when the crew was eliminated using FPV drones. Subsequently, the logistics battalion organised the tank's evacuation from the battlefield.
A soldier involved in the tank's capture announced that it "will be restored and then used by a Ukrainian crew against the occupiers."
The captured T-72B3 tank is shown in the video material.
Why is this such an important capture?
Capturing tanks on the battlefield is quite a common occurrence, and Russian T‑72B3s have often ended up in Ukrainian hands. Przemysław Juraszek, a journalist from Wirtualna Polska, described the capabilities of the T-72B3.
The T-72B3 is an economical upgrade of T-72B tanks, introduced into service only in 2011. The vehicle was equipped with advanced observation systems. French thermal cameras, Catherine-FC, were initially used, but they were later replaced with the 1PN-96MT-02 thermal sight. The new version was also adapted to newer anti-tank ammunition from the Świeniec family with a longer penetrator.
The modernised version also has reinforced armour and increased resistance to attacks. Ukrainian sources mention that the captured unit was equipped with additional protective measures.
The T-72B3 tank plays an important role in the arsenal of the Russian armed forces, being a main component of armoured offensives. Upgrades improve its performance in the dynamic conditions of contemporary military conflicts. According to the report "The Military Balance 2021," the Russians had 1,150 units of T-72B3s in 2021, but their production has been accelerated under wartime conditions. According to the Militarnyi service, the Russians can currently produce about 30 T-72B3 tanks per month.
