Russian T‑90M flaws exposed: bricks as fake armour blocks
The Russian T-90M tank, hailed by President Vladimir Putin as one of the best tanks in the world, has undergone many upgrades. Some of these upgrades are truly surprising. A good example is the bricks mounted on the vehicle, which were most likely meant to serve as reactive armour blocks.
The Russians are increasing the protection level of their tanks by adding various additional elements—from anti-drone cages to reactive armour blocks. The latter, as reported by the Bulgarian Military service, are not always what they seem. Photos published on social media reveal a concerning modification. They show a destroyed T-90M tank, where the reactive armour blocks were merely ordinary bricks.
T-90M weakened by "upgrades"
"The tank, which was supposed to be a fortress on the battlefield, fell victim to sabotage long before reaching the front line. Its armour, made of bricks, doomed it to certain destruction," stated the Bulgarian Military publication. More alarming details can be seen in the photos of the destroyed T-90M, showing shortcomings in the tank's protective mechanisms. This includes removing key elements of the modular reactive armour Relikt on the turret and front part of the hull.
It is unclear whether the absence of these elements is related to budget cuts or other circumstances. The gaps in the tank's protection effectively deprive it of the necessary upgrades to conduct effective combat and survive on the modern battlefield, where threats include, among others, anti-tank missiles, mines, and commonly used drones.
The T-90M "Proryv" is considered one of the most modern achievements of the Russian army. This tank, available in service since 2020, is equipped with a 2A46M-5 125 mm cannon and an advanced fire control system, "Kalina." The construction also uses modular reactive armour, "Relikt," which provides increased protection for the hull and turret. Thanks to a 1,000-horsepower engine, the T-90M reaches speeds of about 64 km/h, making it very mobile on the battlefield.
Despite its advanced technology, the T-90M faces criticism, mainly from the Ukrainian armed forces, which often conduct analyses of captured units. It has been found that the microelectronics in the tank are vulnerable to damage, and the technical solutions used are based on older models, such as the T-72. Furthermore, difficulties in radio communication pose an additional problem for the crew. Even with praise from Vladimir Putin, who called the tank "the best in the world," it turns out that the T-90M often loses battles, including those against Ukrainian drones.
