What does the 'Russian veteran' have that makes Leopard 'run out of breath'?

Russian T-80BVM tanks played a key role in stopping an offensive by Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk region during the Russia-Ukraine war.

According to an update from the Russian Ministry of Defense on November 6, Russian T-80BVM tanks played an important role in stopping an attack by Ukrainian forces in the southern Donetsk region. Specifically, T-80BVM crews from the Russian task force responded quickly when Russian intelligence detected a large concentration of Ukrainian troops preparing for an attack. Faced with this situation, Russian forces decided to launch a preemptive strike with precision fire from a strategic position, causing significant losses to Ukraine in terms of personnel and equipment.

After completing the mission, the T-80BVM crew immediately withdrew to a safe position, avoiding the risk of counterattack by Ukrainian artillery. During this period, the tanks remained combat-ready and were replenished with ammunition, in case they needed to be redeployed.

Russian T-80BVM tanks played a key role in stopping an attack by Ukrainian forces in the southern Donetsk region - Photo source: Russian Defense Ministry

The T-80BVM is one of the most expensive armored vehicles in Russia’s arsenal today, with production costs far exceeding the new T-90M model due to its advanced gas turbine engine. Initially, before the outbreak of the Ukrainian conflict, Russia considered phasing out the T-80 series (which entered service in 1976) due to its high operating and maintenance costs. However, the impressive performance of the T-80 on the battlefield in Ukraine changed that view. This was reinforced when in September 2023, Russia announced that it would resume production of the T-80 after nearly three decades.

Testimonies from Russian servicemen have helped clarify the T-80's advantages over other tanks. In an interview in late 2023, a Russian commander shared about his encounter with German-made Leopard tanks on the battlefield. According to him, while Leopard had difficulty in muddy terrain, the T-80's gas turbine engine helped it move flexibly on all types of complex terrain. "Leopards often got stuck in the mud . Our vehicles with gas turbine engines overcame all obstacles, including enemy trenches and bunkers in difficult weather conditions ," he said.

The T-80's strength also lies in its gas turbine engine, similar to the US M1 Abrams tank, which creates superior power to quickly overcome diverse terrain. This ability is a strategic advantage in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, where the terrain is changing and complex.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/xe-tang-t-80bvm-lao-tuong-nga-co-gi-khien-leopard-phai-hut-hoi-357075.html