Rare footage of a tank-on-tank engagement which occurred outside Bakhmut in May. Video of this event was posted elsewhere, but this footage offers a clearer view of the engagement’s climax. At the bottom left of the screen is a Ukrainian T-64BV, which fires APFSDS round at a Russian T-72B3. The projectile penetrates the T-72’s armor, detonating the ammunition and causing a catastrophic kill.

The T-64 was a Soviet Cold-War main battle tank (MBT) originally designed at the Kharkiv design bureau. It was a significant upgrade over the T-54/T-55 tanks and served as the design basis for the T-80. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the platform remained in service in several former Soviet republics, including Ukraine, who continued to produce modernized versions and to improve existing vehicles. The T-72B3 is a modernized version of the Soviet-designed MBT, and Russia continues to produce new tanks built to T-72B3M specifications. According to published specifications, the T-72B3’s Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armor (ERA) can defeat many older APFSDS rounds, but this footage would seem to disprove that claim.

About the Author

Cam

Cam served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, deploying to the Horn of Africa and participating in combat operations in Iraq. He currently works in the maritime industry and in the defense sector as an instructor of combined arms planning and operations. An avid sailor, Cam founded and directs Triumph Sailing, a nonprofit that supports veterans and first responders through adventure and fellowship on the water. Triumph Sailing just completed its big yearly event, an offshore race in the Gulf of Mexico with an all veteran crew. You can support the mission and next year's sailing season at Tri-Sail.Org.