The Ukrainian military has destroyed Russia’s only T-80UM2 experimental main battle tank prototype during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Oryx Blog researchers revealed.
Photo and video evidence showed the wreckage of the T-80UM2 tank allegedly neutralized on March 17 in northeastern Ukraine.
Its turret is knocked off and hull burnt out, though it is not clear how it was destroyed.
It is also not clear why the experimental tank was deployed in the conflict.
The T-80UM2
According to The Drive, the T-80UM2 main battle tank prototype was based on an upgraded T-80U chassis that features a welded-steel turret with advanced armor protection.
It was fitted with the hard-kill Drozd-2 active protection system, which uses radar to detect incoming anti-tank rockets and anti-tank missiles.
The tank fired automatic high-explosive fragmentation munitions to destroy or disable targets.
Alleged Russian Losses
Earlier this month, Forbes reported that Russia has lost more than $5 billion in military equipment since launching its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Over 2,500 pieces of enemy equipment have reportedly been destroyed as Ukrainian defenders continue to resist Russian attacks.
According to the General Staff of Ukraine, 58 aircraft, 83 helicopters, 363 tanks, 1,205 armored combat vehicles, and other Russian equipment have been neutralized.
The outlet also revealed that Russia suffered its heaviest equipment losses on February 25, a day after the start of the invasion.
Russia has also lost five top military officials, including Major General Vitaly Gerasimov and Major General Andrey Sukhovetsky, who was reportedly killed by a Ukrainian sniper.