The Russian army is using T-62 tanks in their offensive in the Ukrainian South, such tanks were designed in 1962 and are likely to be around 50 years old.
“Russia’s Southern Grouping of Forces likely remains tasked with occupying southern Ukrainian territory. In recent days, Russia has likely moved 50-year-old T-62 tanks from deep storage into the SGF’s area of responsibility,” reads the report.
The T-62s will almost certainly be particularly vulnerable to anti-tank weapons and their presence on the battlefield highlights Russia's shortage of modern, combat-ready equipment, reckons the UK Defence Ministry.
Russia is pressuring the Sievierodonetsk pocket although Ukraine retains control of multiple defended sectors, denying Russia full control of the Donbas. Russian ground forces continue their attempt to surround Severodonetsk and Lyschansk, recently capturing several villages north-west of Popasna.
The T-62 model was based off the T-55 Soviet tank and was manufactured between 1962 and 1975. Such tanks were actively used in the Soviet-Afghan War, as well as both Chechen wars in the 1990s.
The T-55 and T-62 tanks are too old to be supported by repair parts, Aleksandr Potapov, CEO of Uralvagonzavod, said in 2020.
