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Key Russian Armor Depot Near Empty as MT-LBs Sent to Front, Satellite Images Reveal
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One of Russia’s major military storage sites, once filled with Soviet-era MT-LB armored vehicles, now appears almost entirely empty, according to new satellite imagery reviewed by open-source analyst Jompy and posted on X.
Recent satellite photos from November 2025 show the 7004th arsenal near Arsenyev in Russia’s Far East almost completely cleared of military equipment. Only three heavily damaged MT-LB units remain at the facility and are likely no longer operational, Jompy reported.
One of the biggest MT-LB bases prewar, the 7004th is now all but empty. Even most trucks are gone, but what's interesting, I can only spot 3 bad looking MT-LBs left here: https://t.co/ZM8YBB9bWz pic.twitter.com/0nf7O84jg4
— Jompy (@Jonpy99) November 22, 2025
This storage base, located roughly 7,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, had served as a key reserve for armored vehicles used in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
According to OSINT estimates cited by Jompy, the facility may have previously held several hundred MT-LBs—many of which were gradually removed either for frontline deployment or scrapping.
The 7004th arsenal is not an isolated case. Jompy notes that satellite images of other sites, including the depot in Ussuriysk, show a similar trend.
Nearly all armored vehicles have been removed, leaving behind only military trucks. The 7033rd arsenal, which previously held self-propelled artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), also appears largely abandoned.
While the 7020th base has yet to receive updated satellite coverage, analysts expect it may show a similar depletion of inventory when imagery becomes available.
According to Jompy’s post, much of the hardware left behind at these depots is visibly damaged or partially dismantled. The condition of the remaining vehicles suggests they are no longer fit for refurbishment or combat use.
These developments point to Russia’s increasing reliance on deep reserves of Soviet-era equipment to sustain operations in Ukraine, as documented by numerous open-source researchers since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
The removal of armored vehicles from depots thousands of kilometers away further illustrates the scale of logistical efforts required to maintain Russia’s current military tempo.
MT-LBs, originally designed in the 1950s as multi-purpose tracked vehicles, have become a common feature on both sides of the war in Ukraine, often repurposed for troop transport, drone launches, or makeshift armor platforms.
Over the last year, reports have documented Russia converting civilian vehicles and retrofitting obsolete hardware due to battlefield losses and limited production capacity.
Earlier, open-source analysts from Frontelligence Insight revealed that Russia plans to overhaul 828 Cold War–era T-72 tanks by 2036, upgrading them to the T-72B3M standard. Most of the refurbishment is set to take place between 2027 and 2029, based on internal procurement documents from Uralvagonzavod.
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