While Ukraine has only recently received German and British main battle tanks, Russia has to fall back on old military equipment. However, according to military experts, Soviet-era T-55 tanks are clearly superior to more modern models.
Russia has already lost many armored vehicles in the offensive war against Ukraine. As U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has now explained, Moscow must therefore fall back on decades-old Soviet-era tanks.
Ukraine has decimated Russia’s inventory of armored vehicles “in a way no one could have imagined,” Austin said at a Senate hearing. “That’s why we see Russia now looking at T-54 and T-55 tanks given the extent of damage Ukraine has inflicted on them.” These models were developed after World War II – it is one of the most produced tank types in the world, having been involved in numerous conflicts.
Recently, Moscow suffered heavy losses in its attacks on the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast. The 10th Panzer Regiment is said to have lost almost all of its tanks. The T-54 and T-55 tanks, reportedly en route to Ukraine, have significantly lighter armor and smaller guns than more modern models, according to the US Institute for War Studies (ISW). This makes them less safe and could lead to more casualties among Russian soldiers. The advantage, however, is that the vehicles and spare parts are available in large numbers.
Videos are circulating on social media of a train loaded with old tanks and reportedly heading for Ukraine. However, this information could not be independently verified.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
