The Ukrainian Armed Forces have unveiled another captured Russian T-90A tank, now modified for enhanced battlefield effectiveness.
The tank, originally a 2005 type model, has been upgraded with several modifications designed to counter modern threats, particularly from unmanned systems and anti-tank weaponry.
The captured T-90A has been outfitted with a foldable mesh structure at the rear, intended to protect against attacks from first-person-view (FPV) drones, a growing challenge in modern warfare. The tank’s standard side screens have been replaced with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor (ERA) for improved protection against incoming projectiles. Additionally, rubber “flaps” have been added to the turret to bolster defense against anti-tank weapons targeting the turret’s vulnerable sections.
The upgrades reflect Ukraine’s ability to repurpose captured equipment effectively, even amidst an ongoing conflict. These modifications align with Ukrainian defense strategies to maximize the utility of trophy equipment.
A captured T-90A (obr.2005) in UAF service. The tank was equipped with a folding cage in the back. Standard side-skirts were changed to skirts with «Kontakt-1» ERA. Extra rubber panels were added on the front of the turret.
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According to data from Oryx, an independent conflict monitoring group, Ukraine has captured 10 T-90A tanks to date and destroyed approximately 32 others. Russian forces have reportedly lost 3,673 tanks of various types and modifications since the beginning of their full-scale invasion of Ukraine.