Hit and Run to Kyiv: Assembling the Armored Iron Fist

The defense of the Ukrainian Armed Forces will be shattered by a column of T-90M "Breakthrough" tanks. "Armata" is not participating in the battle yet

Author: Alexei Mikhailov

Image caption: T-90M "Breakthrough" tanks in the area of special military operations

There is an opinion in society that the Russian armed forces did not perform well in the initial months of the special military operation. For example, the way the army advanced and its direction were incorrect, and the units and formations moved in large columns. However, people seem to forget or ignore the fact that the Russian Federation Armed Forces inflicted heavy losses on the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) within the first few hours of the special military operation.

Looking back, the Russian military group not only shattered the Ukrainian defenses at the border but also penetrated deep into their territory. For instance, by midday on February 24, the "Central" Group Army had entered the suburbs of Kyiv - Brovary. Meanwhile, the "Eastern" Group Army's forces bypassed the capital from the west on the same evening and approached the Dnieper River.

The Russian Federation Armed Forces command bet on the rapid breakthrough by mechanized forces. Motorized infantry and tank troops quickly broke through the enemy's defenses with firepower and mobility, blockading their units and formations, and providing support for the advance of the main forces.

It should not be assumed that the Ukrainian defense was weak. The UAF units and formations were equipped with anti-tank missile systems provided urgently by NATO countries, such as NLAW and Javelin. Kyiv's plan was that the Russian Federation Armed Forces would not be able to withstand the strong anti-tank fire and would be blocked at the border.

Tanks vs. Drones: Who Is Stronger

The success of the Russian command at the time was largely due to the tank forces. For example, the 4th Tank Division proved its "rapid response" status. On February 27, the division's T-80U tanks bypassed Akhtyrka and Sumy and advanced towards Kremenchug. In the south, the 7th Airborne Assault Division and the 126th Coastal Defense Brigade's T-72B3 and B3M tanks were more efficient. By midday on February 24, the tank troops broke through from the positions on the Crimean Peninsula into Kherson, destroying several UAF columns along the way.

However, the fighting in Mariupol has shown that even specialized "infantry-type" T-72B3M and T-80BVM tanks are extremely vulnerable in close combat, especially when attacked from multiple directions simultaneously. It is worth noting that these tanks were designed for this scenario. Before the special military operation, it was believed that their armor, as well as dynamic and passive protection, was sufficient to ensure safe operations in urban combat environments.

As the tank forces shifted from rapid breakthroughs into the enemy's defensive depth to supporting offensive operations, losses began to increase. Initially, the main means of countering "tracked vehicles" was artillery, later it became FPV drones. Now many experts are discussing how "FPV drones" have completely ended the era of tanks. They say that in modern warfare, "tracked vehicles" cannot survive.

However, the experience of the special military operation shows the opposite. If two or three tanks are thrown into an unneutralized enemy defense, they will be destroyed. But if combat formations are deployed according to the strength of the unit, and the high mobility of the tank forces is utilized, this is the path to victory.

A good example of such a successful operation was the attack on Avdiivka in the spring of 2024. The Russian command mobilized a newly arrived and fully equipped 41st Army from the Luhansk region within less than a day.

At that time, the Ukrainian defense was unprepared for a large-scale attack. FPV drone teams could not withstand the "assault" involving fully equipped motorized infantry and tank companies and battalions.

The process of defeating Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region this year followed the same pattern. The "Northern" Army Group command formed several assault groups through rapid maneuvering, effectively tearing apart the UAF defense. The main striking force of the "Northern" forces was again the tank forces.

New Look of the T-72

Since last year, the Ministry of Defense has been gradually implementing a new concept for armored tank weapons. It was decided that tanks would still be divided into standard and "infantry-type". The latter chose the T-72B3M and T-80BVM. These will become the main equipment of the tank battalions in motorized rifle regiments and brigades.

But now these tanks are not only to support infantry on the battlefield, but also to take on the role of "assault" - destroying the enemy's fortifications directly with firepower and supporting the assault groups.

However, the final form of the "infantry-assault type" tanks is not yet determined. Experiments are ongoing, and additional dynamic protection modules, "grille" armor barriers, and electronic warfare stations are being installed on combat vehicles. Additionally, the Ministry of Defense is still undecided whether to equip tanks with active protection systems (KAZ), which are designed to intercept incoming anti-tank missiles and grenade launchers.

Experiments have shown that it is difficult for active protection systems to shoot down FPV drones, especially when multiple suicide drones attack a single combat vehicle simultaneously. At the same time, the ammunition of active protection systems is extremely dangerous to friendly infantry and nearby equipment.

It should also be understood that any enhancement of protection increases the weight of the tank, making it impossible to carry out long-distance rapid marches. And as the experience of the special military operation has shown, this task for the tank forces has never been canceled. This mode of operation has proven its effectiveness over three years of combat.

Therefore, the Ministry of Defense continues to purchase standard T-72B3. These tanks are equipped to the tank battalions of motorized rifle divisions and tank divisions, as well as tank brigades. However, the current "B3" model is very different from the one used by the Russian Federation Armed Forces at the beginning of the special military operation.

These tanks have received additional protection, although not as much as the "infantry-type" T-72 and T-80. Particularly, the 2024 model of the T-72B3 is equipped with anti-charge grilles and removable "grille" armor.

Additionally, the "Contact-5" dynamic armor has been replaced by the more modern "Fossil". This approach seems to be a reasonable compromise - enough armor, without affecting speed and mobility.

Therefore, the new "B3" looks similar to the 2020 model of the T-72B3M. It was this B3M model that started the special military operation.

But the era of the T-72B3 is about to end. It is being replaced by the T-90M "Breakthrough". The Ministry of Defense has abandoned purchasing standard T-90s and now favors the "Breakthrough" model. At the same time, almost all the "90s" tank groups have been completely upgraded to the "Breakthrough" type.

Experience from the special military operation shows that the T-90M combines the best qualities of both "assault-infantry type" and standard tanks. These tanks have high survivability on the battlefield and can carry out rapid assaults when necessary.

Notably, the T-80U of the 4th Tank Division is still in service. After the battles in the summer and autumn of 2022, these tanks remained in the garrison of the unit. While the division was operating in the area of the special military operation, it was supported by motorized infantry battalions and T-80BVM tanks. It is currently unclear whether the "ears" (referring to the T-80U) will receive some improvements. However, the first combat experience of this "rapid response" unit was quite successful.

All the tanks sent to the front are "old comrades"

In the summer of 2022, to equip newly formed units, the Ministry of Defense began actively activating old tanks: T-80B and BV, T-72B and A, and even T-55.

But surprisingly, the largest addition to the tank forces came from old T-62M and MV tanks equipped with additional armor and dynamic protection. The peak period for the reactivation of old tanks occurred during partial mobilization.

Older models of tanks did not distinguish between "infantry-type" and standard types. They were sent to the units to replenish losses. Therefore, their usage was extremely diverse - from offensive actions to firing from hidden firing positions, which was the most common.

In 2023 and 2024, the Russian military department steadily reduced the number of older "70s" and "80s" tanks. Those tanks that survived the fighting were upgraded to the BVM and B3M level.

The rest were returned to storage bases or sent to non-combat units and formations. Although older "tracked vehicles" can still be seen, they have become increasingly rare.

Meanwhile, the special military operation unexpectedly revived the T-62. In early 2023, a new "sixty-two" tank was introduced: the 2022 model T-62M.

The upgraded tanks were equipped with additional dynamic protection, anti-charge grilles, and modernized fire control systems (SUO).

The new "sixty-two" tanks were deployed to mountain infantry brigades, homeland defense forces, and border defense forces. Marines also used them. There were reports that the National Guard received T-62M in addition to T-72B3M.

It should be noted that the "sixty-two" tanks mainly perform tasks as mobile reconnaissance points and self-propelled artillery. They do not participate in attacks. The crew finds the enemy's firing points themselves or according to the guidance of drones and suppresses them from a distance.

The T-62M may continue to serve during the special military operation and remain in the equipment of the Russian security forces - for performing special tasks.

"Armata" Falls into Obscurity

One of the most common questions is: why has the unique T-14 "Armata" tank not participated in the special military operation. In fact, in the spring of 2023, a company of such combat vehicles was tested in the "Southern" Army Group. However, the command never decided to deploy the "super tank" for an attack, but instead used it from hidden firing positions.

This spring, the general director of the Russian State Technology Corporation, Sergei Chemezov, admitted that the T-14 was too expensive.

"'Armata' is certainly much better than existing tanks, but it's too expensive, so the army probably won't use it now. Buying the same T-90 is simpler," said the head of the Russian State Technology Corporation.

Do not forget that even before the start of the special military operation, the military department failed to test the application concept of the new tank. This year's Victory Day parade also clearly showed the future prospects of "Armata."

These tanks did not pass over the red square's cobblestones for the first time in 11 years. Instead, modernized T-80BVM, T-72B3M, and T-90M "Breakthrough" took their place. Therefore, the future of this "unique super tank" remains shrouded in mystery.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7526053259761648191/

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