The Russian military has suffered another significant loss, as Ukrainian forces successfully destroyed one of Russia’s most advanced tanks, the T-90M Proryv, with a modern Bonus artillery shell.
Destroyes T-90M Tank
According to Tech this event highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Russian forces in maintaining their armored vehicle fleet amid continuous Ukrainian attacks.
Russian attempts to replenish their military vehicle losses have been consistently thwarted by Ukrainian forces. Among the notable targets destroyed are the T-90M Proryv tanks, which Russian President Vladimir Putin once touted as the "best in the world." However, the battlefield has revealed vulnerabilities in these advanced machines.
In a recent confrontation in Zaporizhzhia, a Russian T-90M tank was struck by a precise Bonus artillery shell, resulting in its destruction. The Ukrainian news portal Militarny showcased the aftermath of this strike, demonstrating the effectiveness of Ukrainian artillery.
Bonus Shell From Sweden
The T-90M Proryv is protected by Relikt reactive armor, designed to defend against small projectiles and kamikaze drones. However, it is significantly less effective against powerful artillery shells, such as the 155mm Bonus round, which poses a substantial threat to the tank’s crew.
The T-90M’s offensive capabilities include a 125mm smoothbore gun paired with the Kalina fire control system. It is powered by an engine producing 1,000 horsepower, enabling speeds up to 65 km/h. Despite these features, the tank’s defenses were insufficient against the advanced Swedish artillery used by Ukrainian forces.
The Bonus artillery shell, produced by Sweden’s FFV Bofors Ordnance, is a 155mm cluster munition containing two self-guiding anti-tank submunitions. Upon deployment, the shell opens at approximately 1 km above the target, releasing the submunitions. Each submunition, weighing 6.5 kg, deploys stabilizers for accurate descent and activates infrared sensors at around 150 meters before striking the target.
With a range of up to 25 km, the Bonus shell allows Ukrainian forces to engage Russian targets from a safe distance, minimizing the risk of counterattack. This capability underscores the strategic advantage provided by advanced artillery in the ongoing conflict.
