Russia Withholds T-14 Armata Tank From Ukraine After Drone Again Destroys T-90

As Ukrainian drones destroyed yet another ostensibly 'superior' T-90 main battle tank, Russia formally announced that it would not be using its latest tank, the T-14 Armata, allegedly because it is too valuable for service there. 

The reality is that Russian commanders have repeatedly criticized the Armata as prone to breakdowns and in need of constant maintenance, making it unreliable for battlefield service, especially since they cannot even protect the hardier T-90. JL 

Isabel Van Brugen reports in Newsweek:

Ukrainian forces have destroyed an advanced Russian T-90 tank in a drone attack. Ukraine's 92nd Assault Brigade shows the tank being targeted at an unspecified location in Ukraine and then the tank from a distance engulfed in flames. On Sunday, the CEO of the country's state-owned defense conglomerate, said Russia's T-14 Armata tank was superior tank but it was "too valuable" to be used in the war in Ukraine. "It is too valuable, so the army is unlikely to use it now. It's easier to buy T-90s."

Ukrainian forces have destroyed an advanced Russian T-90 tank in a drone attack, new footage appears to show.

The 17-second-long aerial footage, shared on social media by Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, was filmed by Ukraine's 92nd Assault Brigade. It appears to show the tank being targeted by Kyiv's forces at an unspecified location in Ukraine and then the tank from a distance engulfed in flames.

 

The T-90 is the main battle tank used by Russia's military in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

"That's a firework! An FPV drone destroyed a Russian T-90 tank worth $4.5 million," the Defense Ministry said. The website "1945" indicates that new T-90s can cost about $4.5 million, while previous and cheaper models can run between $2.5 million and $3.5 million.

Newsweek could not independently when or where the video was filmed, and has contacted the Russian Defense Ministry for comment by email.

 

In June 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin touted the T-90M Proryv tank as the world's best main battle tank, state-run news agency Tass reported at the time.

"Modern anti-tank warfare systems are needed. Modern tanks are also needed. It can be said today that the T-90M Proryv is the world's best tank. As soon as it approaches positions, no chance is left for anyone or anything. It fires to a longer range and more accurately. It also has better protection," the Russian leader told reporters.

 

On Sunday, Sergey Chemezov, the CEO of Rostec, the country's state-owned defense conglomerate, said Russia's T-14 Armata tank was the country's more superior tank but it was "too valuable" to be used in the war in Ukraine.

"The Armata, in general, is a little expensive," Chemezov said in an interview with Russian state-run news agency RIA Novosti. "In terms of functionality, it is, of course, much superior to existing tanks, but it is too valuable, so the army is unlikely to use it now. It's easier for them to buy the same T-90s."

Ukrainian soldiers scavenge an abandoned Russian T-90A tank in Kyrylivka on September 30, 2022. Ukrainian forces have destroyed an advanced Russian T-90 tank in a drone attack, new footage appears to show.

Kyiv's military said in an update on Monday that Moscow has so far lost 6,657 tanks since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The figures were provided by the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces, which posts estimates of Russia's troop and equipment losses daily.

Russia has also lost a total of 419,020 troops, 10,258 artillery systems, 12,688 armored personnel vehicles, as well as 347 military jets in the ongoing war, Kyiv said. Newsweek couldn't independently verify Ukraine's figures.

Estimates of casualty numbers vary, with Ukraine's figures usually exceeding those provided by its Western allies. Moscow rarely shares information on its number of casualties. Similarly, Kyiv does not provide updated information on its war casualties.