Ukrainian forces capture T‑80BWM tank in surprise Kursk raid

Using the element of surprise, the Ukrainians advanced into Russian positions by over 20 miles. In the initial chaos, the Russians attempted to stop them with a makeshift force gathered from what was available in the area. Some units put up fierce resistance while others deserted or surrendered.

The latter category even included crews of modern tanks like the T-72B3 and T-80BWM. The latter was found by the Ukrainians in fully operable condition, as it was fueled and had a full ammunition load.

The T-80BWM tanks are among the newest vehicles in Russia's military arsenal. Their production began in 2017, and before the invasion of Ukraine, Russia had approximately 200 of these tanks. According to the "The Military Balance 2021" report, in 2020, their number was estimated at 190 units.

These vehicles, like other Russian tanks, are developed through extensive overhauls of older models like the T-80BW. However, considering the losses of these older tanks, which were prioritized for refreshment to make up for losses, the base for the BWM now consists of increasingly older versions.

During the war, Russia lost at least 156 T-80BWM tanks, considering both pre-war and wartime production. The Oryxspioenkop group collected video and photographic evidence to confirm this.

Structurally, the T-80BWM is a modernized version of the older T-80BW tanks, which are, in turn, a deep evolution of the T-64 tanks. The modernization involves transforming old units, including their general overhaul and the adaptation of the ammunition magazine to use longer APFSDS projectiles. Additionally, these tanks have been equipped with an electric turret rotation mechanism and a two-layer Relikt reactive armour, protecting advanced tandem warhead missiles.

However, the most important element of this modernization is the advanced Sosna-U fire control system, which uses third-generation Catherine-FC thermal cameras produced by the French company Thales. Since the imposition of sanctions on Russia, these have become unavailable, forcing them to use alternative solutions with inferior parameters from other sources.

The T-80BWM is better armoured than tanks from the T-72 and T-90 families. With the new reactive armour, these vehicles can withstand multiple hits from FPV drones and anti-tank guided missiles, as evidenced by available video materials. While there are weak spots where a hit can cause ammunition detonation and crew deaths, such cases are rarer than in tanks from the T-72/T-90 families.

One of the unique features of the T-80BWM tanks is their gas turbine engine, which provides better responsiveness than traditional diesel engines. Thanks to the immediate achievement of maximum torque, this tank has earned the nickname "flying tank" in Russia.