Summary and Key Points: The Russo-Ukraine War has resulted in severe loss of life and equipment, with fighting being the most intense in Europe since World War II. As the conflict approaches two and a half years, both sides face challenges in maintaining their forces, particularly in terms of tanks and armored vehicles. Ukraine has received significant Western support, while Russia has resorted to using outdated Cold War equipment like the T-72 tank, which has proven ineffective on the modern battlefield.

Russia has reportedly lost over 1,200 T-72s, a number likely higher due to unverified losses.

These losses highlight the tank's inadequacy and the need for alternatives amid strained resources.

T-72 Tank in Ukraine: How Many Tanks Were Destroyed? 

The loss of life and equipment in the Russo-Ukraine War has been egregious. The fighting is reportedly the most intense on the European continent since the Nazis surrendered at Berlin. 

Now, as the Russian invasion nears the two-and-a-half-year mark, casualty rates are becoming difficult to sustain. Tank and armored vehicle attrition rates are especially pronounced. Ukraine is littered with ruined vehicles, forcing both sides to think creatively in replenishing their depleted forces.

The Ukrainians have benefited from Western intervention, including an infusion of cash and equipment including NLAWs, HIMARS, and soon, F-16s. Russia, meanwhile, has had to dig into its cache of stockpiled Cold War equipment, including the T-72 tank. Unfortunately for Russian President Vladimir Putin, the T-72 is ill-equipped for the modern battlefield and has struggled to survive against the inventive and resilient Ukrainians.

Sustaining High Losses

According to Oryx, the Russians have lost 1,200 T-72s since the invasion began. Obviously, that is a massive number of tanks to lose – and the number is likely an undercount. Oryx adheres to a stringent verification standard that requires verified footage and imagery before tallying a tank kill. The result is that some tanks are destroyed, but the fact remains unverified and untallied. So the Russians have likely lost more than 1,200 T-72s. That is not sustainable. 

The T-72’s struggles should come as no surprise. It was designed in the late 1960s and has been in production since 1968. To date, 25,000 T-72s have been built. 

The T-72 is an upgraded version of the T-62 tank, featuring steel and composite ERA armor, a 125 mm smoothbore gun, and a V12 diesel engine. It carries 320 gallons of fuel and can operate within a range of 290 miles (using internal fuel) or 430 miles (when carrying external fuel drums). The T-72 can hit speeds of 47 miles per hour, but it can only crawl in reverse, backing out at a top speed of 2.5 mph.

The most distinctive specification of the T-72 is its lightweight relative to Western tanks. The T-72 weighs just 41 tons, a design choice the Soviets made in conjunction with their choice to build small roads. The reasoning: The Soviets wanted to make roads that were too narrow for Western tanks but could accommodate the slight T-72.

That left the T-72 underpowered, which is part of the reason the tank has fared so poorly in the Russo-Ukraine War.

If the Russians are going to improve their circumstances in Ukraine, they may need to find an alternative to the T-72 and other Cold War-era tanks.

However, given the Kremlin’s constrained resources and conflicting priorities, a T-72 alternative is unlikely.

About the Author: Defense Expert Harrison Kass 

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.

All images are Creative Commons or Shutterstock. 

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