Russia has so far relied largely on air operations to allow its ground troops to infiltrate Ukraine. These air strikes have targeted both military installations and high-rise buildings to counter the possibility of sniper firing.
It is being speculated that the next step in the Russian attack on Ukraine may be to bring in a large number of heavy armor. While reports of Russia using tanks in Ukraine are limited, videos shared on social media suggest a movement of Russian armored vehicles towards Kiev.
In one such video, Ukrainian citizens can be seen blocking the movement of a tank convoy in northern Ukraine.
Locals lined up and stopped a convoy of Russian tanks in the Chernihiv region of Ukraine.
,@gauravcsawant,#Ukraine #Russia @ShivAroor pic.twitter.com/2LleoffAX7— India Today (@IndiaToday) February 27, 2022
In another video In what is going viral, Russian soldiers standing next to a tank see a passerby talking to them.
Russian tank strength is much better
Like all other military capabilities, the odds are stacked in Russia’s favor when it comes to armored firepower. Russia has an estimated 12,000 tanks, up from Ukraine’s 2,500.
However, it is still unclear what type of tanks Russia is using as part of the military offensive.
Apart from tanks, the Russian army can also claim superiority when it comes to armored personnel vehicles, which are used to move ground troops closer to the target before an attack.
There is also a Russian T-72 tank mounted with a launcher. The tank is capable of firing lethal thermobaric rockets which, if exploded, can strangle humans due to lack of oxygen, resulting in mass murders.
File photo of a Russian T-72B3 main battle tank | Reuters
T-14 Armata can make a difference
While the main ones used by the Indian Army are the T-90 and T-72 tanks that Russia has been dealing with since the days of the Cold War, it is the upgraded new T-14 Armata stealth tanks that can bring an element of surprise when infiltrating . A full scale armor attack case.
Despite the possibility of these Russians deploying these tanks in Ukraine, reports suggest that their numbers are still small. By the end of last year, the delivery of 20 T-14 tanks to the Russian army was expected.
A special feature of the new tanks is the unmanned turret – a mounting platform that can be used for firing while protecting the crew, including the gunner.
File photo of T-14 Armata tank | AP
The T-14 Armata tank is said to be faster and better maneuverable than the others. It is a light tank best suited for urban warfare – exactly the kind of scenario Russia is facing in Ukraine.
A ground offensive in enclosed spaces such as the streets of Kiev may require the Russians to press the T-14 into action.
It is important to note here that an additional delivery of advanced T-90 tanks to Russia was also reported in the build-up to the attack.
Ukraine claims to have destroyed 146 tanks
Even though there is no confirmation of damage in the attack, reports suggest that the Ukrainian army destroyed at least 146 Russian tanks. This is being seen as another sign that Russia is bringing heavy armor to Ukraine.
The Russian military deployed the TOS-1 heavy flamethrower that shoots thermobaric rockets, was south of Belgorod. pic.twitter.com/XCxMI3bNB3
— Frederick Pleitgen (@fpleitgenCNN) February 26, 2022
While their armor power cannot match that of Russians, Ukrainians have the answer to Russian tanks. That is why Ukraine is focusing on its anti-tank capabilities.
Ukraine also has T-series Soviet-era tanks, which can be used, but have a limited role as Ukrainian forces are taking defensive positions and not offensive positions.
Another important fact is the US-made Javelin anti-tank missile. These are being used extensively by Ukrainian forces, with Kiev insisting on a steady supply of more.
File photo of Javelin anti-tank missiles | AP
The US has already announced military aid, which includes small arms, anti-armor weapons and weapons worth $350 million. Ukrainian forces hope to receive a second batch of Javelin missiles, pending from 2019, to better equip them against Russian tanks.
Germany has also promised 1,000 anti-tank guns, while the Netherlands is expected to boost Ukraine’s anti-armor firepower by 50 as Kiev prepares for more deadly attacks by Russian troops.