Russia is experiencing a severe shortage of modern armored vehicles and is therefore forced to massively return outdated T-62 tanks to the front, Ukrainian intelligence reported.
This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Main Intelligence Directorate noted that large-scale and irreversible equipment losses are forcing Russian command to resort to reactivating old combat vehicles, whose reserves are gradually depleting. According to intelligence data, vehicles from the 1970s have almost run out, so Moscow has begun actively bringing even older models back into service, specifically T-62 tanks.
The restoration of these tanks primarily takes place at the 103rd Armored Repair Plant in the urban-type settlement of Atamanovka, Zabaykalsky Krai. T-62 tanks are delivered to the combat zone mainly from warehouses of the Eastern Military District. For example, on June 27, the movement of 21 T-62 tanks from the Eastern Military District to the European part of Russia was recorded. The technical condition of most of these tanks is considered unsatisfactory, as they were stored outdoors for decades without proper maintenance.
Main Intelligence Directorate emphasized that due to the acute shortage of modern battle tanks such as the T-90M and T-72B3M, Russia views the use of T-62s as a temporary but forced measure. The intelligence cited the lack of industrial capacity and shortages of imported high-tech components necessary for producing new armored vehicles as main causes of the modern equipment deficit.
Additionally, according to intelligence, in practice T-62 tanks are used not only as full-fledged combat units but also as stationary firing points to reinforce defensive positions.
