As the third year of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine lumbers forward, the battlefield has shifted into a strange amalgamation of Cold War relics and modern warfare tactics, with geriatric tanks squaring off against cutting-edge drones. In mid-2022, amidst mounting losses of modern armor, Russia began pulling working vehicles from its Cold War stocks, including T-62s and T-55s built between the 1950s and 1980s. This move came as no surprise after Russia faced significant armor write-offs nearing 2,000 by early 2023—two-thirds of their pre-war force. The Kremlin’s tank losses have since surpassed 2,600, according to a February 2024 assessment by Oryx.
Initially, these vintage machines were not intended for direct assaults but rather as stationary artillery support, lobbing shells from afar. However, the current situation has devolved into regiments rolling these antiquated tanks, including the T-55s, directly into the fray, with some even retrofitted with emergency upgrades like new radios, optics, and explosive reactive armor. Still, many remain unchanged from their decades-old designs, posing a significant threat to the increasingly under-supported Ukrainian infantry.
The threat is heightened as Ukrainian forces grapple with artillery ammunition shortages following the blockage of further U.S. aid by Russia-aligned Republicans in Congress starting from last fall. The shortage of ammunition inevitably hampers the Ukrainian infantry’s ability to counter the onslaught of Russian armor, regardless of its age. The Ukrainian drone operator “Kriegsforscher” observes that the enemy now possesses “more ammo, firepower, tanks, and soldiers than one year ago,” stressing the relentless challenge faced by the defenders.
The Russian tactic of deploying Cold War tanks to direct combat has manifested in battles like the one in Robotyne in February 2024, where around 20 T-55 and T-62 tanks led an assault on Ukrainian positions. Despite the age of these vehicles, Ukrainian forces had to use valuable resources to repel the attack using FPV drones and anti-tank munitions, which effectively decimated the outdated Russian tanks. This encounter illustrates the adaptability of Ukrainian troops and their increasingly effective use of drone technology in offsetting the numerical superiority of Russian armor.
The Russian practice of relying on outdated tanks signals a potential production issue within the Russian military-industrial complex. Despite President Putin’s statements regarding the increased output of new tanks at five times the pre-war levels, evidence on the ground suggests otherwise. With a reported 2,754 Russian tanks lost since the start of the war, per Oryx’s data, and discrepancies in reported kill counts, the veracity of Russia’s manufacturing claims is under scrutiny.
The rearming strategy of Ukraine echoes a similar necessity. The country is forming new mechanized and armored brigades, equipping some units with captured Russian tanks, such as the T-62s for the 154th Brigade. While Ukraine’s tank losses stand at approximately 700, neither side seems capable of replacing their armored losses with modern equivalents, making Cold War-era tanks an increasingly common sight on the battlefield. As these developments unfold, the Ukrainian 5th Tank Brigade has been reported to receive German-made Leopard 1A5 tanks, once again reinforcing the throwback nature of the conflict’s armor components.
Looking beyond the tanks, the decisive factors in the conflict remain drones, artillery, and mines. The army with the most drones and artillery firepower holds a significant advantage. Ukraine’s drone capabilities have been notably increasing, with President Zelensky predicting that, by the end of 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces could possess as many as 50,000 to 100,000 strike drones.
Relevant articles:
– Yes, Russia Really Is Sending 65-Year-Old Tanks to Assault Ukrainian Positions, Forbes, Feb 9, 2024
– After Two Years Russia Resorts to Throwing Ancient Tanks into Battle – It May Not Be Enough, Kyiv Post, Feb 24, 2024
– Ukraine Is Rearming For 2024—With New Brigades And Very Old Tanks, Forbes, Dec 19, 2023
– Russia may be replacing 100 tanks a month — but with older models, which ‘smacks of absolute desperation,’ expert says, Business Insider, Feb 7, 2024