As the Ukrainian forces push aggressively forward, Russia is scrambling to bolster its defenses with any available equipment, including outdated military assets like the T-62M tanks.
Forces Russia to Pull Older Equipment
According to Tech the urgent need to reinforce the Kursk region has led to the deployment of these relics from the Cold War era, highlighting the challenges Russia faces in maintaining modern military capabilities.
Ukrainian forces have taken Russian troops by surprise, launching attacks with far greater numbers than initially anticipated.
This unexpected onslaught has forced Russia to pull equipment and personnel from various fronts, including those from the northern Kharkiv region, to reinforce the defense in Kursk.
A product of the Soviet Union's Khrushchev era
One of the significant problems Russia is encountering is the high level of Ukrainian air defense activity. Russian aircraft have struggled to operate effectively, with guided bombs and helicopters falling victim to not only advanced anti-aircraft systems like
Stinger and Piorun but also to small, agile FPV drones. This shift in the battlefield dynamics has forced Russia to rely heavily on ground forces.
The T-62M tanks, a product of the Soviet Union's Khrushchev era, are now being used to fill the gaps in Russia's armored capabilities.
These tanks, which are an evolution of the T-54/55, are being refurbished with the help of parts from North Korea to make up for losses in more modern tanks like the T-80 and T-90.
Despite their increased numbers, the T-62M's effectiveness is limited. Its armor, even with composite and reactive armor enhancements, cannot withstand modern anti-tank weapons. Furthermore, many of these tanks lack advanced targeting systems, making them particularly vulnerable on the battlefield.
