There lies the T-90M, the most modern Russian tank model, not counting the T-14 Armata. The booty is extremely exciting because it reveals the latest stage of Russian tank development: the Russian army received a new batch of T-90M "Breakthrough" battle tanks from the Uralvagonzavod company in 2020, which, alongside the experimental T-14 Armata, represents the most powerful tank class in the Russian military.
Before the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war in February, the Russian Ministry of Defense had planned to acquire about 600 T-90M tanks, with the majority of them being developed through the modernization of older T-90 tanks already in service. The tank was commissioned in the Russian army in April 2020, following the completion of testing two months earlier. Noteworthy features of the tank include the integration of the new 2A46M-5 cannon and the Kalina fire control system, the use of the Afghanit active protection system and the Relikt explosive reactive armor, as well as additional armor that isolates the ammunition from the rest of the tank, making the vehicles much less susceptible to explosions.
This last advantage was certainly demonstrated in Ukraine, where the only destroyed T-90M tank seen in May looked much more intact than most of the T-72 and older T-90 variants lost in the area. The tank is not only more survivable but also has much better situational awareness, especially thanks to its network-centric warfare capabilities and modern thermal imaging devices, while its new main cannon allows for the use of many new types of ammunition.
The T-90M is dressed in Nikidka on the outside: a cloth cover that also camouflages the vehicle against IR and thermal optics, and furthermore blurs the contours. In the gap, suspended Soft Armour can also be seen.
Looking over the roof to the weapon station.
The weapon station is the latest model, first seen at the army weapons show in Moscow. This T-90M is therefore very young and state-of-the-art.
Hatches open and inside the booty tank.
There's a lot to see. We're just going to show you the collection of images that show the interior.
Also interesting, no automatic transmission in the T-90M, it is shifted manually in a classical way.
The T-90M became a spoils of war due to a very simple problem: it threw a track - and was simply left undamaged.
But the Russian problem is bigger: During the offensive in the northeast in September 2022, the Ukrainian army reportedly overran a Russian repair shop in Balaklia and seized around 200 modern armored vehicles belonging to the Russian 1st Guards Tank Division. Such alleged losses would not be easily replaceable in the short term for Russia. HERE you can find all information on the T-90M.
