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Ukraine intelligence: Russia deploys Soviet-era tanks as modern reserves dwindle amid massive losses
Russia began deploying Soviet-era T-62 tanks from the 1960s, as the country faces mounting equipment losses in its war against Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate.
As of 28 June, Ukraine’s General Staff reports that Ukrainian forces destroyed 10,970 Russian tanks.
However, Russia relies on imports from other countries and covert supply chains to circumvent sanctions and other restrictions.
The intelligence agency reports that Russian forces have exhausted much of their 1970s-era tank inventory and are now turning to even older models to maintain their armored capabilities. This shift represents a significant departure from Russia’s initial reliance on more modern systems like the T-90M and T-72B3M main battle tanks.
The restoration work is centered primarily at the 103rd Armored Repair Plant in Atamanovka, Trans-Baikal Territory of Siberia. Ukrainian intelligence documented the transfer of 21 T-62 tanks from the eastern region to western part on 27 June.
The condition of these reactivated vehicles presents significant challenges. According to the intelligence report, most tanks have been stored outdoors for decades without proper maintenance, resulting in unsatisfactory technical condition.
Despite these limitations, Russia continues deploying the aging armor due to what Ukrainian intelligence characterizes as an acute shortage of modern battle tanks.
The T-62, originally designed in the early 1960s, represents a significant technological step backward from contemporary main battle tanks, lacking modern fire control systems, armor protection, and battlefield management capabilities that define current-generation vehicles.
