A Rare Trophy Captured: Unique Ukrainian T-72AG Seized by Russian Forces in February 2022.

At the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian forces seized a unique Ukrainian T-72AG tank during operations at the Gostomel airfield near Kyiv. Produced as a single unit, this tank attracted the attention of military experts due to its specific features and particular history.
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The T-72AG during the Exhibition of Special Military Operation Trophies at the Victory Park in Moscow in 2024 (Picture source: Vitaly Kuzmin)

In the 1990s, Ukraine, inheriting a significant Soviet arsenal, sought to modernize and market its military equipment internationally. The Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau (KMDB) developed the T-72AG in 1997 as an improved version of the T-72M main battle tank. Presented at the IDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi, this model targeted countries already using the T-72, offering an economical upgrade compared to more modern tanks.

The T-72AG incorporates several notable enhancements. It retains the original 125 mm 2A46 smoothbore gun but was recommended to be replaced with the improved Ukrainian KBA1 gun for better accuracy and reliability. A remote-controlled 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun is installed on the commander's cupola, allowing targets to be engaged without exposing the crew.

The fire control system was entirely modernized: the original TPD-K1 sight was replaced with the 1G46 sight, stabilized on two axes, featuring a laser rangefinder and missile guidance capability. A ballistic computer associated with various sensors improves firing accuracy, whether the tank is moving or stationary.

For night operations, the tank can be equipped with the TPN-4E system or an optional thermal camera, allowing it to operate effectively in total darkness, smoke, or fog. To enhance its protection, the T-72AG is fitted with additional armor modules and "Nozh" explosive reactive armor (ERA), strengthening its resistance against shaped charges and armor-piercing projectiles. The original engine is replaced with a 6TD series diesel engine, available in 1,000 or 1,200 horsepower versions, improving performance, particularly in extreme heat conditions. The tank can reach a maximum speed of 65 km/h, or even 75 km/h with an improved gearbox.

The T-72AG incorporates several notable enhancements. It retains the original 125 mm 2A46 smoothbore gun but was recommended to be replaced with the improved Ukrainian KBA1 gun for better accuracy and reliability. (Picture source: Vitaly Kuzmin)

Despite its technological advancements, the T-72AG failed to attract customers in the international market. Efforts to promote this model were unsuccessful, and the tank remained a unique prototype. In the absence of orders, the T-72AG was integrated into the Ukrainian armed forces.

After intense fighting in 2014 in the Donbass region, Ukraine deployed various equipment, including the T-72AG, to reinforce its units. In February 2022, during the Russian assault on the Gostomel airfield, Russian airborne forces captured this rare tank. Its seizure was reported by several media outlets, highlighting its unique status among Ukrainian military equipment.

The capture of the T-72AG by Russian forces has a dual significance. It represents the seizure of a unique piece of equipment, the result of Ukrainian efforts to modernize their Soviet-inherited arsenal. Additionally, although based on known technologies, examining the T-72AG may provide Russia with insights into Ukrainian approaches to military modernization.

The T-72AG illustrates the challenges faced by Ukraine in modernizing its military hardware and establishing itself in the international arms market. Its capture by Russian forces in 2022 adds a particular chapter to the complex history of military relations between the two nations. This unique tank remains a symbol of the ambitions and constraints of the Ukrainian defense sector at the end of the 20th century.