Kathrine Frich
Modern armoured vehicles remain a decisive factor on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Tanks are used not only to break through enemy positions but also to support infantry, hold territory and project firepower under constant threat from drones and precision weapons.
As the war grinds on, the loss or capture of even a single modern tank can carry tactical and symbolic weight for both sides.
Tank left behind
Ukrainian soldiers from the 92nd Assault Brigade announced on social media on January 13 that they had captured a Russian T-80BWM tank.
The brigade published photographs of the vehicle after Russian troops abandoned it during a retreat.
According to the Ukrainians, Russian forces were unable to withdraw the tank from the battlefield and fled, leaving it intact.
The brigade did not specify the exact date or location of the seizure. The images show the tank largely undamaged, suggesting it was taken without direct combat.
Repeated losses
This is not the first time Ukrainian forces have captured this type of vehicle.
According to Oryx, a blog that tracks visually confirmed military equipment losses in the war, more than 30 T-80BWMs have been captured by Ukraine since 2022.
Oryx also reports that Ukrainian forces have destroyed roughly 150 additional T-80BWMs in combat, indicating far heavier overall losses for Russia.
The capture adds to a growing list of advanced equipment Russia has lost through battlefield abandonment rather than direct fire.
Among the best
The T-80BWM is considered one of Russia’s most capable tanks deployed in Ukraine.
As reported by Wirtualna Polska, the model entered service in 2017 and represents a modernised version of earlier T-80 designs rather than a completely new build.
Its armament includes a 125mm smoothbore gun compatible with Russia’s most advanced anti-tank ammunition, along with 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns.
Key upgrades include the Sosna-U fire control system, Relikt add-on armour, and the PKUZ-1A fire suppression and crew protection system.
Improvised defences
The tank displayed by the 92nd Assault Brigade also features unusual external additions.
These improvised structures, sometimes described as “armoured hedgehogs,” are increasingly used by Russian crews.
According to Wirtualna Polska, such modifications are designed to improve survivability against FPV drone attacks, which have become a major threat on the battlefield.
Sources: 92nd Assault Brigade, Oryx, Wirtualna Polska
