Ukraine Captures Russia’s Frontline T-80BVM Tank in Rare Battlefield Seizure

Ukrainian troops from the 92nd Assault Brigade have captured a Russian T-80BVM main battle tank during combat operations, according to a statement released by the brigade on January 13, 2026.

The vehicle was seized after being disabled in battle and subsequently taken as a war trophy in cooperation with the brigade’s tank battalion. The unit released photographs showing the captured vehicle, a rare example of the Russian military’s most advanced T-80 variant currently deployed in Ukraine.

According to the brigade, the tank features several upgrades characteristic of the T-80BVM modification, including a 125mm 2A46M-4 main gun, the 2E58 gun stabilizer, and the TVN-5 driver’s night vision system.

It is also equipped with a modified autoloader capable of handling depleted uranium armor-piercing shells—specifically the 3BM59 “Svinets-1” and 3BM60 “Svinets-2” rounds.

The vehicle’s protection suite includes Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor blocks on the hull and turret sides, and Relikt armor modules on the turret front.

It also features an improvised cage armor structure—commonly referred to as a “mangal”—designed to detonate incoming FPV drones before impact. This grid-like frame extends over the turret sides and engine compartment.

Propulsion is provided by a GTD-1250 gas turbine engine, and internal communication is managed by the R-168-25U-2 “Akvaduk” VHF radio system—part of Russia’s broader Ratnik soldier modernization program.

According to data from Oryx, an open-source intelligence group that tracks visually confirmed losses, Ukrainian forces have captured at least 35 T-80BVM tanks since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The model represents one of Russia’s most advanced active-duty main battle tanks, originally modernized by the Omsk Transport Machine-Building Plant.

Earlier, Forbes reported that Ukraine may have achieved localized tank superiority over Russian forces for the first time since the full-scale invasion, thanks to large-scale drone operations. In areas where Ukraine fields multiple drone companies, Russian tanks reportedly fail to reach attack positions and are destroyed deep behind the front.

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