Russian forces falter as aging tanks destroyed near Novomykhailivka
Photos and information confirming new Russian losses near Novomykhailivka have surfaced online. Among the destroyed equipment, several T-62 tanks were identified. This is another indication that the aging machinery of the invaders does not constitute a significant force on the front lines and serves as relatively easy targets.
The photos that appeared on social media are from one of the hottest sections of the front in the Donetsk region. This area is the third section (after Avdiivka and Bakhmut), where the Russians have been most active in recent months. Observers of the war in Ukraine quickly analyzed the materials and identified what precisely the Russians lost based on the photos.
Russian losses near Novomykhailivka
The Ukrainians managed to destroy an entire column. They primarily used drones for this, which is not surprising given the age of the equipment the attacking Russians were using. The Ukrainians destroyed at least three T-62 tanks, one unidentified tank, and several BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles.
T-62 tanks are among the oldest machinery taking part in the war in Ukraine. These machines were designed in the 1960s. They were not built from scratch but as an upgrade of the T-54 and T-55 series tanks.
Their armour was improved, and a more potent armament, a 115 mm smoothbore gun, was introduced. These elements were impressive when the T-62 was first introduced. Today, they are considered antiques that do not present much value on the battlefield, neither offensively nor defensively.
The crews of the T-62 tanks are not protected against fire from heavier artillery or FPV (first-person view) kamikaze drones. As a result, the Russians often try to improvise and mount additional protections in cages and roofs, but in practice, these often fail. The drones are equipped with cameras, providing the soldiers with a real-time live view until the moment of impact. For this reason, attacks carried out with their help are usually effective, thanks to very accurate strikes.
The BMP-1s are also old equipment, dating back to the USSR era. These infantry fighting vehicles were produced from 1966 to 1982. They are equipped with a 73 mm gun and a 7.62 mm machine gun.
