Russia's use of T-55 tanks attracts the attention of Ukrainian military experts.

In an interview with a Ukrainian television channel on 24 April 2024, the deputy commander of a tank company in the Ukrainian Armed Forces recently sparked interest by praising the Russian army's use of Soviet T-55 tanks, which are considered obsolete. This comment comes as the Russian armed forces modernize these armored vehicles, with numerous reports indicating that Russian forces are using the old Soviet tanks as an effective alternative to self-propelled artillery on the battlefield. Their use remains an attempt to compensate for the significant losses in armored vehicles announced by the Ukrainian forces.
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The T-55, adopted by over 70 countries worldwide, boasts a 100mm main armament and multiple machine guns for self-defense, offering offensive capabilities, although it lags behind the Western vehicles in the Ukrainian forces (Picture source: ArmyRecognition)

The commander stressed in an interview with a Ukrainian television channel that, despite the mockery of some military experts in Ukraine about the use of T-55s by the Russian armed forces, these tanks are proving to be an effective artillery weapon. He noted that the in-depth modernization of the T-55s in Russia, with improved armor and new guns, has enhanced their usefulness in the field.

Andronyak emphasized the ease of use, reliability, and simple maintenance of Soviet military equipment, describing the use of T-55s as 'cool' because of their effectiveness as artillery weapons. He also noted that the presence of a large number of these tanks in the Russian army is an undeniable advantage, as they can be deployed quickly without the need to search for special positions or transport ammunition.

However, Andronyak stressed that T-55 tanks are not used by Russian crews for direct attack operations, but rather as artillery support. He stressed that they are not used in assaults, contrary to what some might have anticipated, as the Russian forces also have more modern tanks such as the T-90.

The T-55 is normally a main battle tank adopted by more than 70 countries around the world. Equipped with a 100mm main armament and several machine guns for self-defense, it offers an offensive capability, albeit one that has been surpassed by the Western vehicles present among the Ukrainian forces.

In terms of protection, the T-55 is designed to withstand small arms fire and shrapnel, with up to 100mm of armor at the front and 80mm at the sides of the hull. Although modest by modern standards, this armor gives it sufficient resilience against a variety of threats on the battlefield.

The T-55's operational capabilities are enhanced by various accessories such as an infrared night vision system, an NBC protection system, and day/night vision devices. Despite its limitations, the T-55 remains an important asset for Russia because of its reliability and availability in large numbers.

This acknowledgment of the effectiveness of the T-55 by a Ukrainian officer underlines the importance of modernizing and making effective use of existing military equipment in today's conflicts. Nevertheless, this continued use of the T-55 raises questions about strategic choices and logistical capabilities. It could reflect a shortage of more modern equipment or a deliberate strategy to conserve more advanced resources for other aspects of the conflict. It could also indicate a pragmatic approach, exploiting available resources for specific roles.

Defense News April 2024