Russia has been largely dependent on air operations till now to allow its ground troops to make inroads into Ukraine. These air assaults have targeted both military installations and high-rise buildings to counter the possibility of sniper fire.
It is being speculated that the next step in the Russian assault on Ukraine could be to bring in heavy armour in large numbers. While reports of Russia using tanks in Ukraine are limited, videos shared on social media suggest a movement of Russian armoured vehicles towards Kyiv.
In one such video, Ukrainian civilians can be seen blocking the movement of a tank convoy in northern Ukraine.
Locals line up and block the convoy of Russian tanks in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region.
(@gauravcsawant)#Ukraine #Russia @ShivAroor pic.twitter.com/2LleoffAX7— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) February 27, 2022
In another video that is going viral, Russian troops standing next to a tank are spotted by a passerby who engages in conversation with them.
Russian tank strength far superior
Like all other military capabilities, the odds are stacked in Russia’s favour even when it comes to armoured firepower. Russia has an estimated 12,000 tanks, outnumbering Ukraine’s 2,500.
However, it is still unclear what kinds of tanks Russia is using as part of the military assault.
Other than tanks, Russian forces can also boast of superiority when it comes to armoured personnel vehicles, which are used to transport ground troops closer to a target ahead of an assault.
There is also the Russian T-72 tank mounted with a launcher. This tank is capable of firing deadly thermobaric rockets which, upon explosion, can choke humans due to lack of oxygen, resulting in mass killings.
File photo of a Russian T-72B3 main battle tank | Reuters
T-14 Armata could make the difference
While the staple T-90 and T-72 also used by the Indian Army are tanks Russia has been operating since the Cold War days, it’s the advanced new T-14 Armata stealth tanks that could bring in the element of surprise while making inroads in case of a full-scale armour assault.
Despite the possibility of these Russians deploying these tanks in Ukraine, reports suggest their numbers are still low. By the end of last year, the Russian Army was expecting a delivery of 20 T-14 tanks.
One of the special features of the brand-new tanks is the unmanned turret-a mounting platform that can be used for firing while shielding the crew, including the gunners.
File photo of a T-14 Armata tank | AP
The T-14 Armata tank is said to be quicker and better at manoeuvrability than others. It is a lightweight tank best suited for urban warfare-just the kind of scenario Russia is facing in Ukraine.
A ground invasion in enclosed spaces like the streets of Kyiv might require Russians to press the T-14s into action.
It is important to note here that an additional delivery of upgraded T-90 tanks to Russia was also reported in the build-up to the invasion.
Ukraine’s claim of destroying 146 tanks
Even though there is no confirmation of the losses incurred in the invasion, reports suggest that Ukrainian forces have destroyed at least 146 Russian tanks. This is being viewed as another indication that Russia has been bringing heavy armour into Ukraine.
The russian army has deployed the TOS-1 heavy flamethrower which shoots thermobaric rockets, the was South of Belgorod. pic.twitter.com/XCxMI3bNB3
— Frederik Pleitgen (@fpleitgenCNN) February 26, 2022
While their armour power might not match that of Russia, the Ukrainians have an answer to Russian tanks. It is for this reason that Ukraine is focusing on its anti-tank capabilities.
Ukraine also has Soviet-era tanks of the T-series, which might be used but have a limited role since Ukrainian forces are taking defensive and not invasive positions.
Another important fact is the US-manufactured Javelin anti-tank missiles. These are being used extensively by Ukrainian forces, with Kyiv insisting on a stable supply of more.
File photo of Javelin anti-tank missiles | AP
The US has already announced military aid, including small arms, anti-armour weapons and munitions worth $350 million. Ukrainian forces are hopeful they can get the second batch of Javelin missiles pending since 2019, allowing them to be better equipped against Russian tanks.
Germany has also promised 1,000 anti-tank guns, while 50 are expected from the Netherlands to boost Ukraine’s anti-armour firepower as Kyiv braces for more lethal assaults by Russian troops.