Russia repairs 3rd-gen Soviet T-80 tanks and sends them to Ukraine
MOSCOW ($1=59.38 Russian Rubles) — T-80BV tanks from the Russian reserve will soon go to Ukraine to replenish the losses of the Russian armed forces. A video was shot near Kazan with a train composition loading these tanks. Before they leave for Ukraine, their modernization is pending.
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A total of 19 T-80BV tanks for recorded video. They were pulled from Russian military depots scattered throughout the country. Experts suggest that these 19 tanks were standing in the open. Over the years, bad weather conditions have taken their toll on their hulls and the tanks require refurbishment. Half a year ago the value of these tanks was not the same as it is today. Russia needs to replenish the losses and these 19 tanks are now of increased value.
Polish experts suggest that the train set is headed for Omsk. In this Russian region, the Russian army has several repair plants and workshops. In addition to the hulls, which will be restored to their original appearance, these tanks will most likely receive a modification. This modification will have to meet the conditions of the war in Ukraine. This also includes replacing damaged equipment while it was located in the depots.
Tank T-80BV
The T-80BV is a 3rd generation Soviet/Russian main battle tank, the T-80B with added Kontakt 1 reactive armor cubes. This made it possible to increase its resistance against the older type of cumulative warheads [without the predecessor]. Other elements such as the main armor, fire control system, autoloader, and engine power remain identical to the T-80B. As a result, this upgrade was only a very shallow solution, which led the Russians to upgrade these tanks to the T-80BVM standard after many years.
The changes consist of the installation of a new Relikt reactive armor, the installation of a new, multi-channel Sosna-U gun sight, a modified 1P67 gunner’s spare sight, a new TWN-5 / TWN-5M driver observation device, a PKUZ- 1Ak protection system of the crew and a new firefighting and communication system. Before the invasion of Ukraine, Russia was supposed to have about 480 T-80BV/U/BVM and up to 3000 in reserve [T-80B / BV/U].
Russia sent T-90 tanks as well
Russia suffered losses of heavily armored vehicles in the War. Ukraine too. While Ukraine relies on supplies from Western European countries and the US, Russia uses its own stocks or newly produced tanks. In early August, for example, UralVagonZavod, Russia’s largest tank manufacturer, sent a new batch of T-90M Proryv tanks to the Russian Armed Forces.
This is not the first delivery of the T-90M Proryv to the Russian army since the beginning of the war. In mid-May, UralVagonZavod sent a new batch. The T-90M Proryv is considered by the Russians to be their most capable main battle tank in service.
At the beginning of June, Russia also sent tanks to Ukraine, but a much older model – T-62. They were loaded onto a large train set and videotaped in Rostov Oblast & Crimea. These tanks are said to be part of the Russian armed forces in Syria, and others were withdrawn from Libya and Tajikistan.
Difficulty in tank production
Sending older versions of Russian tanks has its own explanation. Since the beginning of the war, dozens of European countries, including The United States imposed economic sanctions on the Russian Federation. This reflects on military production, including tank production.
Sources claim that UralVagonZavod has difficulty producing new tanks because it does not have access to components, materials, and raw materials. Shortage due to sanctions imposed. Although UralVagonZavod produces tanks, sources claim that production has halved.
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