Due to a lack of material, Russia is replacing vehicles destroyed in the war of aggression against Ukraine, according to British estimates, with models that are decades old. Most recently, Soviet BTR-50 armored personnel carriers, which had been manufactured since 1954, were even used in Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense in London said on Monday, citing intelligence findings.
Destroyed main battle tanks have been replaced by old T-62 models for months. Even the 1st Guards Tank Army, one of the most prestigious units, received such tanks to make up for their losses in modern tanks. “Since the summer of 2022, around 800 T-62s have been taken out of storage,” it said in London. “Some have received improved sighting systems that will most likely improve their effectiveness at night.” However, the vehicles have many weak points, such as modern reactive armor.
The British Ministry of Defense has published daily updates on the course of the war since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, citing intelligence information. In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a disinformation campaign.
