Maya Carlin
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine commenced back in February 2022, both Kyiv and Moscow have deployed a range of main battle tanks (MBTs) including Soviet-era designs and even World War II relics. While neither country’s fleet of armored vehicles has fared well throughout the war, Russia’s tank stockpile has notably dwindled. According to the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), Moscow is losing tanks so quickly that it could completely deplete its supply by the end of 2026. The think tank estimated that Russian forces lost roughly 1,400 tanks in 2024, although Ukrainian officials put this number much higher. In addition to its decreasing tank fleet, Moscow has also lost a vast array of infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers. Considering these abysmal numbers, some analysts have questioned why the Kremlin has not put forth its self-proclaimed top-tier T-14 Armata MBT series.
In the early days of its invasion, Russia lost hundreds of tanks in its attempts to capture Kyiv. Within six months, Moscow turned to its aging stocks of Cold War-era MBTs to make up for these shortcomings. From the WWII-era T-55 to the Soviet-made T-62, T-72, and T-80 armored vehicles, these outdated tanks showcase just how much the Russian armor corps has been forced to devolve back to the 1980s. Ukraine has received countless deliveries of Western ammo and anti-tank systems from the United States and its NATO allies since the start of the war. With these in tow, Russia’s tank fleet has been virtually decimated. These Cold War-era relics simply cannot stand a chance against HIMARS, Javelins, and ATACMS frequently deployed by Kyiv.
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