Russia’s leaked military files reveal plans to build over 1,000 new T-90M2 Ryvok-1 tanks against Ukraine.

Leaked Russian military files reveal production plans to build over 1,000 T-90M2 Ryvok-1 tanks, a new variant of the T-90M main battle tank, by 2029, as Moscow tries to compensate the heavy T-90M losses in Ukraine.

On October 11, 2025, Frontelligence Insight published leaked Russian military files indicating that Uralvagonzavod intends to produce over 1,000 units of a new variant of the T-90M, the T-90M2 Ryvok-1 main battle tank, by 2029. The documents describe a structured armored vehicle program covering the years 2026 to 2036, with a production peak between 2027 and 2029, suggesting a coordinated plan to rebuild tank inventories and sustain long-term defense manufacturing linked to operations in Ukraine.
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The T-90M2 will likely use the V-92S2F multi-fuel diesel engine rated at 1,130 hp, already fielded in the T-90AM and T-90MS variants, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 23.5 hp per ton and a maximum road speed of around 70 km/h. (Picture source: Russian MoD)

Leaked documents from Uralvagonzavod indicate that Russia is preparing to start serial production of the new T-90M2 Ryvok-1 main battle tank in 2026 as part of a broader armored vehicle program covering the period from 2026 to 2036. The production plan begins with a limited batch of ten T-90M2 tanks in 2026, followed by a sharp increase in activity during the next three years. Between 2027 and 2029, a total of 1,118 T-90M and T-90M2 tanks are scheduled for production, overhaul, or modernization, with 2028 marking the peak year at 428 units, representing an increase of almost 80% compared to 2024 levels.

Russia produced around 240 T-90M tanks in 2024 and is expected to reach a similar figure in 2025. Over the entire 2026–2036 period, Moscow’s goal is to produce, overhaul, or modernise at least 1,783 T-90M and T-90M2 tanks. The plan shows no new production entries after 2029, with 2030 entirely omitted from the tables, which may correspond to a reorganization or modernization phase at the manufacturing facility. The T-90M2, also designated Object 188M2, appeared in internal correspondence between Uralvagonzavod and the Zagorsk Optical-Mechanical Plant, referencing the supply of IS-445 sensors. This component, an engine RPM sensor installed one per tank engine, provided an indirect way to estimate the number of tanks planned for production, overhaul, and modernization.

The codename Object 188M was previously associated with the T-90M Proryv-3, and the presence of “2” in 188M2 implies a subsequent modification. A listing in the Russian Union of Scientific and Engineering Public Associations mentions a lead engineer connected to the T-90M2 Ryvok-1, translating to “Dash-1.” These combined findings confirm that the Ryvok-1 is an upgraded version of the T-90M, forming the latest step in the T-90’s evolution. The 2029 end of new production and the absence of 2030 data are interpreted by experts as either a planned factory restructuring period or a pause before introducing a future variant under a different schedule. The T-90M2 Ryvok-1 will further modernise the T-90 tank, which itself evolved from the older T-72B.

The T-90M2 is expected to feature a revised armor configuration, an improved fire-control system, and possibly an upgraded diesel engine, while retaining core characteristics of the T-90M Proryv-3. The tank maintains the standard three-person crew layout, armed with a 125 mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun equipped with an automatic loader and capable of firing Invar-M laser-guided missiles at targets up to 5 kilometers away. Its protection relies on modular Relikt explosive reactive armor, installed on both the turret and hull, supplemented by roof and side modules. The fire-control suite is the Kalina system, incorporating the Sosna-U multichannel gunner sight, the commander’s panoramic sight, thermal imaging channels, a digital ballistic computer, and navigation through GLONASS and GPS. These systems improve targeting precision and situational awareness under all weather and visibility conditions.

The T-90M2 will likely use the V-92S2F multi-fuel diesel engine rated at 1,130 hp, already fielded in the T-90AM and T-90MS variants, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 23.5 hp per ton and a maximum road speed of around 70 km/h. The T-90M incorporates a welded turret with increased internal volume and a separated ammunition compartment located in the rear bustle for improved crew safety. The turret also includes a thermal conditioning unit at the rear, providing controlled temperature for the crew. The tank employs strengthened torsion bars, improved hydropneumatic shock absorbers, and lighter road wheels to enhance durability and handling. The Relikt armor modules are complemented by slat armor protecting the engine compartment and rear turret section. Internal fire-suppression systems and a redesigned automatic transmission contribute to operational reliability during extended use.

According to the same industrial data, the modernization of T-72 tanks will continue in parallel with T-90 production. The T-72 program uses procurement data centered on the TKHP-12-150 cold-bore sighting tube, one of which is installed per tank. Although less precise than the IS-445-based estimation method, the data indicate that 828 T-72B3M tanks will be upgraded by 2036, with peak modernization activity between 2027 and 2029 involving 498 vehicles. If combined with T-90M and T-90M2 totals, the projected number of upgraded and new tanks across both families reaches about 2,611 for the 2026–2036 period. However, because the T-72 figures rely on less direct calculations, they are considered less reliable than the T-90 data. The aggregated figures nonetheless suggest that Russia aims to sustain large-scale modernization of its armored fleet over the next decade.

The production forecast also notes limited activity for the BMPT Terminator program. Only 86 BMPTs are scheduled for production or overhaul between 2027 and 2036, reflecting a reduced emphasis on this vehicle type compared to main battle tanks. The Terminator, based on the T-72 chassis and armed with twin 30 mm 2A42 autocannons, was designed to support tanks in urban and close combat environments but has seen limited deployment and at least one confirmed loss since the start of the war in Ukraine. By contrast, Russian planning documents prioritize the T-90M and T-90M2 as the principal armored platforms for future production cycles. Beyond the tank programs, additional projects such as the Shturm unmanned tank and other robotic ground vehicles indicate a gradual integration of autonomous systems into Russian ground forces.

Russia’s continued production of the T-90 and T-90M shows a clear intent to rebuild its tank forces over time after the heavy losses suffered by the T-90M in Ukraine. Instead of focusing on short-term replacement, Moscow seems to be betting on a steady, predictable production rhythm that keeps factories running and skilled workers employed. Keeping the T-90M line active allows Uralvagonzavod and its suppliers to operate without interruption, which helps maintain experience, tooling, and logistics that would take years to recover if shut down. The T-90M, being a proven and fully mature platform, gives Russia a practical way to sustain its armored capabilities without relying on more complex models that are harder and slower to produce. Over the long term, this steady output means that Russia can quietly rebuild its armored units while preserving the industrial base needed to support large-scale ground operations in the future.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.