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Open-source, online investigations covering the unconventional.

Feb 3, 13 tweets

Looking for something to read this weekend? Check out @CommanderNizar's visual guide to Soviet-origin tanks used on the Ukraine battlefield. Like/bookmark/RT!



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A Soviet-origin main battle tank has several distinctive and consistent features, highlighted here.

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The T-64BV is used primarily by Ukrainian forces, and sports a distinctive left-cannon-mounted infrared searchlight, track pattern, and Kontakt-1 reactive armor.

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The T-72B has an infrared searchlight mounted on the right side of the cannon, and a unique tread pattern which can be distincted from the previous T-64BV variant.

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The T-72B obrazets (obr.) 1989, a modified and up-armored version of the early T-72 variant T-72B main battle tank, features additional upgrades, including a visually distinctive Kontakt-5 reactive armor which leaves gaps in the chassis large enough for modern munitions.

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The T-72B3 is further modernized, and features a distinctive meteorological sensor and newer parallel-patterned tank tracks.

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The T-72B3M variant, which was modernized as recently as 2022, includes features from hard lessons learned during combat, including additional Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armor on the sides of the chassis and the addition of new soft and hard casings to cover the armor.

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The T-80BV is an early variant of one of the Soviet Union's last-produced tanks, with a distinctively angular Kontakt-1 armor array resulting in increased protection to the turret top and lessened protection to its sides.

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The T-80U improves armor coverage over the T-80BV variant, with Kontakt-5 reactive armor in place of the T-80BV's outdated Kontakt-1 armor, plus rubber flaps and padding affixed to the turret armor and hull bottom.

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The T-80BVM is used almost exclusively by Russia, and features several new modernizations, including an upgraded and compactly patterned RELIKT explosive reactive armor and an advanced meterological sensor.

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The T-90 was one of the last tanks produced by the Soviet Union, but its T-90A variant didn't enter service until 2004 under the Russian Federation. It features advanced laser warning receivers, and a soft-kill active protection system as countermeasure for guided weapons.

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The T-90M is Russia's most current advanced modernized variant of the T-90, with a remotely operated commander's weapon station, an exterior ammo bustle, advanced sensors, and Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armor modeled to mimic typical NATO armor layouts.

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Liked this guide? Be sure to RT/bookmark/share, and follow the author @CommanderNizar. You can read our full report here: offbeatresearch.com/2024/01/an-off…

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