Russia’s T-90M Tank: A Modern Icon Reduced to Rubble in Ukraine
In a conflict marked by surprises and resilience, Russia’s T-90M tank, once hailed as the pinnacle of modern warfare, has crumbled under the pressure of Ukraine’s innovative military strategies. Despite boasting advanced features and design upgrades, the T-90M has faced catastrophic losses on the battlefield, raising serious questions about Russia’s military preparedness and technological capabilities.
A Tank Built to Dominate
The T-90M, introduced in 2019, was envisioned as the ultimate evolution of the T-90 series, combining Cold War legacy with cutting-edge enhancements. Featuring a redesigned turret, advanced optics, a 125mm smoothbore gun, and Relikt ERA (Explosive Reactive Armour) for added survivability, the tank seemed formidable on paper. Its upgraded engine and improved electronics were expected to ensure dominance in modern combat scenarios.
Yet, the T-90M’s battlefield record in Ukraine tells a different story. Ukrainian forces have neutralised or captured at least 100 of these tanks, using a combination of precision-guided artillery, drones, anti-tank missiles, and even infantry vehicles like the U.S.-made Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The Bradley, primarily designed as an armoured personnel carrier, has shockingly emerged as a T-90M destroyer, underscoring glaring vulnerabilities in the Russian tank’s design.
| Key Features of the T-90M | Why They Failed |
|---|---|
| Advanced optics and sensors | Easily disrupted by drones and modern countermeasures |
| Relikt ERA armour | Ineffective against loitering munitions and precision artillery |
| High-powered engine | Insufficient to evade nimble infantry vehicles |
| Improved gunnery systems | Outperformed by superior Ukrainian tactics and training |
Ukraine’s Winning Formula
Ukraine’s adept use of combined arms tactics, coupled with innovative technologies, has laid bare the limitations of the T-90M. Equipped with Western weaponry and an unyielding resolve, Ukrainian forces have consistently outmanoeuvred and outgunned Russian armoured units. Drone swarms, artillery precision, and effective minefields have become the bane of Russia’s T-90M tanks.
Ukrainian ingenuity has turned even infantry fighting vehicles like the Bradley into tank killers. Armed with a 25mm chain gun and TOW anti-tank missiles, the Bradley has managed to destroy T-90Ms, exposing their vulnerabilities. This unlikely role reversal demonstrates that the problem lies not just in the tank’s design but also in Russia’s tactical missteps and poorly trained crews.
A Blow to Russian Confidence
The T-90M debacle symbolises the broader issues plaguing Russia’s military machinery. Poor crew training, outdated Soviet-era tactics, and over-reliance on propaganda have compounded the tank’s failures. While the Kremlin’s defence industry continues to churn out more T-90Ms, Ukrainian forces are perfecting their strategies to exploit the tank’s weaknesses.
For Russia, the T-90M’s repeated defeats are a public relations nightmare.
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