Ukrainian forces capture rare Russian T‑90S tank in Donetsk
One of the Ukrainian brigades operating in the Donetsk region has captured a Russian T-90S tank. This is a particularly rare find since the Russians have few of them and initially did not plan to deploy them in the war in Ukraine. We present the history and capabilities of this machine.
This model is part of the popular Russian T-90 family of tanks, whose production began in 1993. However, the T-90S is an export model the Russians designed with India in mind.
When the first T-90S units appeared in Ukraine, local analysts suggested that this was evidence of at least two issues for the Russians: dwindling tank resources in warehouses being replenished with increasingly less obvious reserves and difficulties meeting customer requirements. According to analysts, the T-90S tanks currently fighting on the front are most likely units rejected by Indian authorities due to detected defects or unmet standards.
Ukrainians captured a T-90S tank
The footage shared on social media was recorded near Sievierodonetsk in the Donetsk region. The accompanying information indicates that the captured T-90S tank is operational and maintains its combat capabilities. It can be assumed that it will soon return to action, but now on the Ukrainian side.
The footage shows that the Russians slightly modified the machine, featuring a makeshift mine-clearing plow and additional cages, which have become a common adaptation used by both sides of the ongoing conflict. This method (although not always effective) protects against FPV (first-person view) kamikaze drones.
Main features of the T-90S
Compared to tanks dedicated to the Russian army, the T-90S does not have the TszU-1 Shtora-1 electro-optical self-defence system, instead incorporating more space for reactive armour.
Similarities include several other key elements of the specification. The T-90S is equipped with an engine producing about 745.7 kilowatts, a 125 mm 2A46M-3 smoothbore gun, and machine guns of 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm calibres.
