Russia tests first autonomous T-72 Shturm tank to breach Ukrainian defenses while keeping troops safe.

As reported by Andrei_bt on July 27, 2025, Russia has tested for the first time the full configuration of the Shturm heavy robotic assault system, including both the unmanned combat vehicles and their dedicated command unit. The system is based on modified T-72 and T-90 tank chassis and is developed by Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) under contract from the Russian Ministry of Defense. The footage shared on Telegram showed the robotic tank and command vehicle operating together, with one of the tanks visibly crewed, indicating that full remote operation or autonomous functionality has not yet been fully implemented.
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For the first time since the project was launched, Russia has publicly revealed the complete configuration of its Shturm robotic assault tank complex during recent field trials. (Picture source: Telegram/Andrei_bt)

The recent footage of the TShRK “Shturm” assault tank was recorded within the industrial complex of Uralvagonzavod (UVZ), with the buildings of the Ural Design Bureau of Transport Engineering (UKBTM) clearly visible in the background. The vehicles in the video are seen moving toward a fenced parking area inside the facility, suggesting that the trial took place in a controlled internal environment rather than at an external test range. Satellite imagery of the site confirms the presence of at least two additional vehicles from the same complex parked in that area. These vehicles are identifiable by matching elements: the same urban camouflage pattern, a similar turret shape, and guns that do not extend beyond the frontal profile of the hull. This indicates that multiple Shturm vehicles are either undergoing simultaneous testing or are staged for coordinated trials. The presence of the vehicles at UVZ’s main facility confirms that testing remains centralized at the industrial development site in Nizhny Tagil, where Uralvagonzavod conducts prototype integration and system validation before potential deployment or field trials.

The Shturm combat vehicle differs from standard T-72 or T-90 series tanks through a set of structural and functional changes tailored for high-risk urban operations. One of the primary distinguishing features is the integration of a bulldozer blade mounted at the front of the hull, intended for the clearance of obstacles and debris in city environments. The vehicle is also equipped with a shortened version of the 125mm D-414 smoothbore gun, which has been modified to reduce barrel overhang and allow unrestricted turret rotation in narrow urban spaces. The shape of the turret is visibly different from that of the T-90M, featuring a compact design with structural mounts that support modular armament configurations. These include, depending on the variant, launchers for rocket flamethrowers, twin 30mm cannons, or other support weapons. The paint scheme is designed specifically for urban concealment, characterized by a distinct camouflage pattern suited for built-up terrain. Together, these features distinguish the Shturm as a vehicle engineered from the outset for operations in densely built environments, with emphasis on remote or optionally crewed control, structural protection, and flexibility in fire support configurations.

Within the Shturm project, Combat Vehicle No. 1 is built on a T-72 or T-90 chassis and equipped with a shortened 125mm D-414 smoothbore gun with a 4,000 mm barrel and an autoloader for 22 rounds. It retains a coaxial 7.62mm PKTM machine gun and is fitted with a bulldozer blade for clearing obstacles. The turret is capable of rotating 360 degrees, enhancing maneuverability in confined urban terrain. Visual evidence suggests the gun and turret design were optimized for street combat. An alternative version with a 152mm gun is reportedly under development. The hulls used are often older T-72A variants drawn from Russian storage depots, where over 9,000 T-72 tanks were reportedly held before 2022, with about 1,200 in serviceable condition. These legacy platforms are being converted to reduce production costs and increase availability for new roles, although limitations in existing electronics and sensors remain a concern.

As previously reported by Army Recognition, three additional combat vehicle variants will be developed. Combat Vehicle No. 2 features a launcher system for RPO-2 “Shmel-M” thermobaric flamethrowers and a 7.62mm PKTM. Combat Vehicle No. 3 combines twin 30mm 2A42 automatic cannons, a PKTM, and an RPO-2 launcher. Combat Vehicle No. 4 is armed with 16 unguided 220mm thermobaric MO.1.01.04M rockets, similar to those used by the TOS-1A system, designed for area saturation. All versions integrate bulldozer blades and full-spectrum armor protection against shaped charges and anti-tank grenades. The protection design is based on the requirement to resist 10 to 15 hits from anti-tank grenade launchers and mines. Each variant is intended to address specific roles such as fortified position breaching, close-quarters support, or wide-area fire delivery. The vehicles reportedly retain crew options during tests, indicating remote capabilities are not yet fully operational or standardized.

The Shturm project now includes a mobile command post, based on a modified T-72 or T-90 hull, and designed to control such tanks as well as coordinate operations within a three-kilometer radius. It is equipped with all-around armor and operates as the central control node. The platform is tasked with coordinating a platoon of up to 50 unmanned vehicles. This centralized control model differs from earlier robotic systems like Uran-9, which faced communication and targeting reliability issues during deployments in Syria and Ukraine. The Shturm control system reportedly incorporates radio communication networks adapted from manned platforms like the T-14 Armata and T-90M, but criticism persists regarding the limited technological progress in Russia’s sensor and data transmission capabilities. The system reportedly uses a technical vision suite with ultrasonic, infrared, and visible spectrum sensors. Artificial intelligence integration is claimed to support autonomous movement, target recognition, and environmental mapping, using neural networks, although practical demonstrations of these capabilities remain limited.

The Shturm program was first disclosed in 2018 by UVZ Director Alexander Potapov at the ADEX exhibition. The concept dates back to the 1980s but could not be realized at the time due to technical limitations. Renewed development began with Ministry of Defense approval and focused on adapting T-72B3 tanks, which already feature the 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun, Sosna-U thermal sights, Relikt ERA, and a V-84MS engine rated at 840 hp. According to reporting from RBC in 2018, a prototype was already undergoing basic testing. The Shturm program also explores adapting Terminator-style fire support vehicles with robotic control, including the use of twin 30mm cannons and thermobaric weapons instead of anti-tank missiles. Russian coverage in 2025 has linked the Shturm's development trajectory with the expanding use of robotic systems in Ukraine and proposed forming dedicated robotic companies in combined-arms formations.

The Shturm experimental design project also includes the integration of artificial intelligence and autonomous subsystems into T-72-based platforms, aiming to improve operational performance while minimizing the need for onboard crews. The fire control system is derived from technologies previously implemented on the T-90M and T-14 Armata, with additional adaptations that enable semi-autonomous target recognition and engagement. These adaptations allow the vehicle to identify various types of battlefield targets and make firing decisions with reduced operator input. The vehicle’s AI is supported by a multi-layered technical vision system composed of ultrasonic, visible-spectrum, and infrared sensors, enabling it to evaluate terrain, detect threats, and navigate obstacles. Trainable neural networks form the core of the decision-making system, allowing the platform to perform tasks such as route planning, convoy movement, and autonomous maneuvering without constant remote commands.

Various independent assessments and internal critiques have raised doubts regarding the level of innovation in the Shturm system. Commentary from Russian bloggers and military experts has described the project as a repurposing of older concepts for funding purposes, particularly highlighting the lack of significant progress in autonomous control. Others have noted that radios like Baofeng continue to be used, pointing to persistent deficiencies in secure communications. Nonetheless, the Russian Armed Forces have tested similar technologies on captured Ukrainian T-72AMT tanks, such as the platform designated "Vasya." These adaptations use FPV-style control systems and have sparked debate within Russian defense circles regarding the implications for long-term procurement and development strategies. However, Russian military expert Yuri Knutov has argued that the use of robotic systems can reduce risks to personnel and suggested employing them in controlled three-vehicle “tank carousels” rather than large formations vulnerable to anti-tank guided weapons.