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Russian T-90 survives drones only to end in a ditch.
A new video on the internet reveals a Russian tank, most likely the T-90M Proryv, equipped with anti-drone cages on its turret, being hit three times by three FPV drones. The footage was shared on X by Rob Lee, who cited a Ukrainian Telegram channel as the source.
“Soldiers of the 153rd Brigade powerfully neutralized an enemy tank on the outskirts of Novoelizavetovka, which was recently under the control of the occupiers, using FPV drones. The tank ended its movement in a crater. Judging by the footage, only two enemy tank crew members managed to evacuate the armored vehicle. The brigade was formed in December 2023, making it one of the newest in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Oksana Rubanyak, a 21-year-old Ukrainian poet, serves as a platoon commander for unmanned systems.”
However, an impartial analysis of the video leads to slightly different conclusions. Before the tank falls into a ditch and is abandoned by its three-member crew [contrary to the Ukrainian source’s claim that only two escaped], the tank is hit in the lower left part of its chassis.
The reason for this is, as mentioned, the turret of the tank is equipped with anti-drone cages. The first FPV drone likely strikes the tank’s tracks on its left side. From all appearances, this strike causes no significant damage, and the tank continues moving.
Shortly afterward, the second hit occurs in the same spot. This strike destabilizes the tank, but despite an initial reverse maneuver, the tank continues moving forward. The claims here are speculative. Whether the second FPV drone is the direct reason the tank was abandoned is unclear, but it is possible that this strike did not completely disable the tank, allowing it to continue moving.
This is evident because, even after the second strike, the tank keeps moving and falls into a deep ditch. The ditch is deep and narrow enough to prevent the tank from maneuvering out of it.
Faced with this situation, the crew decides to abandon the tank. It is clearly visible that two crew members quickly exit the tank at 1:18 in the video. The third crew member leaves at 1:38. After some time, once the crew is far enough from their abandoned combat vehicle stuck in the ditch, a third FPV drone strike follows.
This incident demonstrates that it is not easy to disable a T-90M tank, even with two strikes from FPV drones on an unprotected part of the tank. It also highlights a lack of coordination among the Ukrainian forces targeting the tank. The third strike was unnecessary and might have made it harder for Ukrainian forces to recover the tank and incorporate it into their brigade.
Given the shortage of weaponry, a well-preserved, modern combat tank could be extremely useful for Ukraine. BulgarianMilitary.com recalls that there is already evidence Ukraine has managed to build its own T-90 tank using intact parts salvaged from T-90s destroyed on the battlefield.
The T-90M “Proryv” [Breakthrough] represents the most advanced version of the T-90 series, Russia’s main battle tank [MBT], and is a cornerstone of its armored forces.
Designed as a significant upgrade over its predecessors, the T-90M incorporates cutting-edge technologies and systems to enhance survivability, firepower, mobility, and situational awareness on the modern battlefield.
Its design reflects lessons learned from recent conflicts, with an emphasis on countering evolving threats such as advanced anti-tank guided missiles [ATGMs] and unmanned aerial systems [UAS].
The T-90M is powered by the V-92S2F engine, a 12-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine capable of producing 1,130 horsepower. This engine provides the tank with a top road speed of approximately 60 km/h [37 mph] and a cross-country speed of 40 km/h [25 mph].
The power-to-weight ratio of 23 hp/ton ensures high maneuverability, even in challenging terrains. The tank has a range of up to 500 km [310 miles] on internal fuel and can be extended with auxiliary fuel drums. It features an upgraded suspension system to improve performance in rough environments and reduce crew fatigue.
In terms of dimensions, the T-90M measures approximately 6.86 meters [22.5 feet] in length [hull], 3.78 meters [12.4 feet] in width, and 2.22 meters [7.3 feet] in height.
Its combat weight is around 48 tons, making it lighter than many Western counterparts, which enhances its operational mobility. The tank’s low profile further contributes to its battlefield survivability, reducing its visual and radar signatures.
The T-90M’s main armament is the 2A46M-5 125 mm smoothbore gun, capable of firing a wide range of ammunition types, including high-explosive anti-tank [HEAT], armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot [APFSDS], and high-explosive fragmentation [HEF] rounds.
Additionally, the gun can launch the 9M119M “Refleks” guided missile, which has an effective range of up to 5 km [3.1 miles] and is designed to engage both armored vehicles and low-flying aerial targets.
The tank’s autoloader system allows for a rate of fire of 6-8 rounds per minute, reducing crew workload while maintaining consistent firepower. The ammunition loadout typically includes 40 rounds, of which 22 are ready-to-use in the autoloader carousel.
Secondary armament includes a 7.62 mm PKTM coaxial machine gun and a roof-mounted 12.7 mm Kord heavy machine gun. The Kord is operated via a remotely controlled weapon station [RCWS], enabling the commander to engage targets from within the safety of the armored compartment.
The machine guns provide effective suppression against infantry, light vehicles, and low-flying aerial threats such as drones.
Survivability is a core aspect of the T-90M’s design. The tank is protected by the Relikt explosive reactive armor [ERA], which is an advanced modular system offering enhanced resistance against tandem-charge warheads and kinetic energy penetrators.
The tank’s passive protection is further bolstered by multi-layered composite armor. To counter modern ATGM threats, the T-90M is equipped with the Shtora-1 active protection system [APS], which disrupts missile guidance and reduces the likelihood of a successful hit. It also features the Afghanit APS, which includes hard-kill capabilities to intercept incoming projectiles.
The T-90M’s smoke grenade launchers can obscure its position and disrupt enemy targeting systems, while its thermal signature has been reduced to decrease detectability by infrared sensors.
The fire control system [FCS] on the T-90M has been significantly upgraded. The Kalina FCS integrates a panoramic commander’s sight and a gunner’s sight, both equipped with thermal imaging, day/night capabilities, and a laser rangefinder.
This allows the crew to detect, identify, and engage targets at extended ranges, even in adverse weather conditions or low-visibility environments. The advanced battlefield management system [BMS] provides real-time data sharing with other units, enhancing coordination and situational awareness.
The T-90M also incorporates features to improve crew comfort and safety. An enhanced air conditioning and ventilation system ensures operational effectiveness in extreme climates, while the tank’s NBC [nuclear, biological, chemical] protection system safeguards the crew against hazardous environments.
The digital communications suite facilitates seamless integration with command networks and other vehicles, ensuring the T-90M remains effective in network-centric warfare scenarios.
Overall, the T-90M “Proryv” embodies a blend of traditional tank design principles with modern technological innovations. Its combination of mobility, protection, and firepower ensures it remains a formidable asset in high-intensity conflicts, capable of adapting to the ever-changing dynamics of modern warfare.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On February 21, 2022, Russia stated that its border facility was attacked by Ukrainian forces, resulting in the deaths of five Ukrainian fighters. However, Ukraine quickly dismissed these allegations, labeling them as ‘false flags’.
In a notable move on the same day, Russia announced it officially recognized the self-proclaimed areas of DPR and LPR. Interestingly, according to Russian President Putin, this recognition covered all the Ukrainian regions. Following this declaration, Putin sent a battalion of Russia’s military forces, tanks included, into these areas.
Fast forward to February 24, 2022, global headlines were dominated by a significant incident. Putin commanded a forceful military assault on Ukraine. Led by Russia’s impressive Armed Forces positioned at the Ukrainian border, this assault wasn’t spontaneous but a premeditated action. Despite the circumstances resembling a war, the Russian government refrains from using this term. They’d rather refer to it as a “special military operation”.
Bulgarian Military