The Russian command probably issued an order for the field “modernization” of old Soviet tanks.

Russian tankers are hastily installing additional “artisan” protection on their vehicles, expecting the Leopard 2 and other modern Western tanks to appear on the front soon. Military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko told about it.

He noted that Russian tanks, designed back in Soviet times, have many vulnerable zones, and high-quality factory modernization, which increases tank survivability, is not practiced in Russia.

According to Kovalenko, now in the tank units of the Russian army, in garage conditions, additional modules of dynamic protection are hung on T-72B3 tanks – strengthening the frontal projection. At the same time, the recommendations on the use of such modules are violated.

In addition, to strengthen the side projection, the Russians are trying to hang rubber-fabric burdocks on the tanks, designed for attaching dynamic protection blocks.

“The shortcomings of the frontal armor of the T-72 tanks have been known since their creation, but the “big”, “powerful” and “unparalleled in the world” military-industrial complex of Russia cannot solve this problem until now. Because there is no comprehensive approach and technical and technological capabilities “, says the expert.

Kovalenko notes that the artisanal modernization of tanks in the Russian army has now acquired a mass character, which may indicate that the troops received a direct order to carry out such work.

“The Russians are not jokingly afraid of meeting with Western-style tanks, which are ahead of their antiques by a generation, if not by two or even more,” he states.

According to Kovalenko, all these artisanal upgrades are more like a placebo effect for suicide bombers than a real increase in tank survivability.

Supply of Western tanks to Ukraine

In January, Ukraine received a firm promise from partner countries to deliver Western-style tanks. The first such promise was made by the President of Poland Andrzej Duda. He decided to transfer 14 Leopard 2 tanks.

Great Britain then promised to hand over 14 of its Challenger 2 tanks.

On January 25, the German government – after long negotiations – officially approved the transfer of 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and gave the green light to other countries to re-export such tanks to Ukraine.

On February 7, Berlin approved the supply of approximately 180 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine.