According to information and video published by Russian TV presenter and journalist Vladimir Solovyov on December 25, 2022, the Russian army has deployed its first latest generation of main battle tanks, T-14 Armata, in the NVO areas, which are the regions in Ukraine under the control of Russian separatists.
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The latest generation of Russian-made main battle tanks T-14 Armata was spotted by Russian journalist Vladimir Solovyov in the Ukrainian Donbas region. (Picture source Vladimir Solovyov Telegram)
Citing information from the Russian journalist Vladimir Solovyov who made a video report on Russian troops deployed in Ukraine, the first Russian-made T-14 Armata MBTs (Main Battle Tanks) were spotted in the Donbas region.
On November 20, 2022, the Army Recognition editorial team reported that Russian soldiers trained with T-14 Armata tanks in a military training ground near Kazan, a city in southwest Russia, on the banks of the Volga and Kazanka rivers.
"I'm just come back from the front line in Ukraine, with the first report of Russia army crews using T-14 Armata tanks", said the Russian journalist Vladimir Solovyov on its Telegram account. According to information from the journalist, he would have seen a column of about 20 T-14 tanks.
To date, no official information from the Russian armed forces has been released about the deployment of T-14 Armata tanks in Ukraine, but since several weeks, recent equipment developed by the Russian defense industry has been deployed for the first time in Ukraine by the Russian army in the framework of combat operations. The areas of operations in Ukraine are a unique laboratory for testing the latest generation of armored vehicles in real combat conditions.
The T-14 Armata is the latest generation of Main Battle Tank produced by the Russian defense industry. The T-14 project was launched in 2009 at the Ural Transport Engineering Design Bureau, part of Uralvagonmash Corporation and it was unveiled for the first time to the public during the military parade of Victory Day, on May 9, 2015. The tank has been developed by the Ural Design Bureau of Transport Machine-Building (UKBTM, part of Uralvagonzavod within Rostec). The vehicle incorporates “unprecedented design solutions”, including an unmanned turret and a separate armor capsule for the crew. Citing information published by the Russian press agency TASS on November 29, 2021, the Russian army received 20 T-14 Armata tanks in 2021.
The T-14 Armata is the latest generation of Main Battle Tank developed by the Russian defense industry. (Picture source Army Recognition)
The T-14 Armata is armed with a new generation of 125mm 2A82-1M smoothbore gun with an automatic loader and 32 rounds ready to use. The main gun can fire also a new laser-guided missile with a range from 7 to 12 km. The roof of the turret is equipped with a remotely operated weapon station armed with one 12.7mm Kord heavy machine gun.
In terms of combat technology, the T-14 Armata MBT is fitted with a remotely operated turret weapon system, in fact, all three crew members including a driver, commander, and gunner are seated at the front part of the hull. The armor capsule of the crew is isolated from ammunition and fuel.
All around the hull, the T-14 Armata is protected with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA), while the rear part of the hull is fitted with bar armor to provide more protection against the firing of anti-tank Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs). The roof of the turret is also protected by an improved version of ERA armor which explodes on impact to stop a projectile from reaching the main layer of armor.
The T-14 Armata is also equipped with the Active Protection System (APS) Afghanit which seems similar to the Israeli Trophy able to intercept and destroy incoming missiles and rockets. The system is designed to work against all types of anti-tank missiles and rockets, including handheld weapons such as rocket-propelled grenades.
The Armata features a digital control system that directs its movement, tracks targets, and activates the tank's defense systems.
