The ongoing war in Ukraine has brought a resurgence of field fortifications, including trenches and engineering obstacles.
Designed to Expose Vulnerabilities
These defenses, once seen as outdated, are proving highly effective against even the most modern weaponry.
A recent example involves a Russian T-90M "Proryv-3" tank, which failed to cross an anti-tank trench, resulting in its destruction, according to WP.
The anti-tank trench is not designed to completely stop vehicles but to slow them down and expose their vulnerabilities.
As the T-90M attempted to cross the obstacle, it tipped forward and flipped, leaving its underside — the least protected part of the tank — exposed.
Although the crew managed to escape, Ukrainian drones quickly destroyed the overturned vehicle.
Russia’s T-90M: Cutting-Edge Technology
The T-90M "Proryv-3" represents the latest upgrade to Russia’s T-90 series of main battle tanks. First introduced at the Army 2017 military expo, it entered service in 2021 with new features aimed at modern battlefield challenges.
The tank is equipped with Relikt reactive armor, which provides enhanced protection against modern anti-tank weapons.
Its crew compartment is lined with anti-spall material to reduce injuries from impacts, and the tank is fitted with the Shtora-1 active protection system, which disrupts the targeting systems of incoming projectiles.
The T-90M also boasts advanced offensive capabilities. It can fire the latest APFSDS (armor-piercing, fin-stabilized discarding sabot) rounds and features the Sosna-U fire control system, complete with a thermal imaging camera for improved accuracy in low visibility conditions.
Additionally, it incorporates stealth coatings like Nakidka and Tiernovnik, which lower its visibility to radar and thermal detection.
