Ukrainian forces seize advanced T‑90S tank from Russia
The Ukrainians have captured one of the Russian T-90S "Bhishma" tanks, which is the export model for the Indian army. The Russians abandoned this vehicle on the battlefield, but Ukrainian soldiers from the K-2 battalion of the 54th brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will now use it to combat the enemy. What is known about it?
Soldiers from the Ukrainian K-2 battalion captured a Russian T-90 tank and shared a video on social media showing the moment the vehicle was seized. Initially, the Ukrainians could not identify the tank version due to the anti-drone protection installed on it. Only after a thorough inspection were they able to confirm that the Russians had abandoned a model designed for the Indian army—the T-90S "Bhishma". According to the Ukrainian news service Militarny, the captured T-90S tank will now serve the soldiers of the K-2 battalion.
T-90S in the hands of Ukrainians
The T-90S "Bhishma" tank is a modified version of the Russian T-90 adapted to meet the requirements of the Indian armed forces. Named after a legendary warrior from the Indian epic Mahabharata, it symbolises strength and resilience on the modern battlefield. This tank, one of the pillars of Indian armoured forces, was developed in collaboration between Russia and India, considering the country's specific climatic and operational needs.
The T-90S differs from the standard T-90 with several significant modifications. A key change is the use of a locally developed battle management system, which enhances commanders' ability to make rapid decisions and effectively direct fire in dynamic combat conditions.
The tank also has superior air conditioning systems. It is worth mentioning the advanced ballistic protection systems, such as the Kontakt-5 reactive armour, and the integration of the modern Shtora-1 active defence system, designed to disrupt laser-guided anti-tank missiles.
The T-90S's primary armament is a 125 mm 2A46M smoothbore gun capable of firing a wide range of munitions, including anti-tank, high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), and armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds. The gun can also launch 9M119 Refleks guided missiles, significantly increasing the range and effectiveness of its fire.
The tank is powered by a V-92S2 diesel engine producing 1,000 horsepower. This engine allows the vehicle to reach a maximum speed of about 60 km/h (approximately 37 mph) on roads and 35-40 km/h (approximately 22-25 mph) off-road. The tank's operational range is up to about 500 km (approximately 311 miles), which can be further increased by using external fuel tanks.
