Russia’s T-90 tank is repeatedly “blown to pieces” in the Ukraine war

Summary and key points: In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, both sides have suffered significant tank losses, with Russia being hit particularly hard. Moscow is estimated to have lost at least 2,000 tanks, including 145 of its most modern T-90s. Ukrainian forces recently captured a T-90 and a BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle during a retreating Russian force.

– Although designed as a counterpart to NATO’s newer tanks, the T-90 has run into difficulties in Ukraine, pointing to problems in Russian military strategy and technology.

– As the number of Russian tanks decreases, Ukraine’s defensive position is strengthened, potentially shifting the balance in the ongoing war.

Russia’s T-90 tank has a problem

Russia and Ukraine have lost many tanks over the course of the war, but the Russian forces have been particularly strong. Open-source intelligence groups estimate that Moscow has lost at least a few thousand tanks over the past two and a half years, although it is difficult to verify exact numbers.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces are attacking every Russian tank series on the battlefield, and the Russian T-90 ranks have been decimated. Oryx estimates that Moscow has lost at least 145 T-90s, considered the most capable main battle tanks Russia has in service.

Last week, Ukrainian soldiers from the 68th^th The Jaeger Brigade reportedly captured a T-90 abandoned by Russian troops on the battlefield. According to Defence Blog, Kiev captured a T-90 tank and a BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle.

This comes a month after video footage of the destruction of another T-90 circulated on social media. The declining performance of Russia’s most advanced tank clearly does not bode well for the Kremlin’s offensive efforts.

Introduction of the T-90 platform

The T-90 was the result of a Soviet program to replace the T-64, T-72 and T-80 tanks. To better compete with the newer tanks of NATO countries, Soviet engineers were tasked with developing a completely new series. The resulting T-90 model, while similar to its predecessors, featured several improvements that made it a superior platform for the Soviets.

The T-90M, also known as Proryv-3, is the latest variant of the T-90 series. Designed for export, this model offers increased protection, mobility and firepower over previous variants. The T-90M is equipped with a newer, longer-range cannon and can fire HE, HE-FRAG or APFSDS projectiles using 125 mm ammunition. For countermeasures, the T-90M is equipped with Shtora-1 equipment, which provides a laser warning system, automatic smoke launchers and infrared dazzlers.

The T-90 did not perform well in Ukraine

Despite the T-90’s capabilities, Russian forces have struggled to properly deploy this tank in combat. Moscow does have an even newer main battle tank platform, the T-14 Armata. However, after a brief deployment on the front lines of the invasion, Moscow withdrew its limited Armata fleet from the battlefield.

As Russia’s tank arsenal continues to decline, Ukraine is able to achieve its defensive objectives in war.

About the author: Defense expert Maya Carlin

Maya CarlinA national security writer for The National Interest, she is an analyst at the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has been featured in numerous publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.

All images are Creative Commons.