Russia Forced Back To Tank Warfare With Few Working Tanks In Storage
Russia's oldest tanks—some 50 years old—are all that stand between Moscow and forced mobilization
Russia has scraped down to its last 2,478 tanks—nearly all of them rusted 50-year-old hulks needing expensive, time-consuming restoration before they can fight.
The tank crisis arrives as Russia pivots back to mechanized assaults after catastrophic infantry losses.
That strategic shift exposes Moscow’s dilemma. With 282,000 casualties since January exceeding recruitment capacity, Russia is choosing to trade steel for flesh—tanks have three crew versus infantry squads of 12 or more soldiers. But it’s a trade that accelerates the drain on vehicle reserves analysts warn could force either mobilization or a fundamental change in approach by 2026.
Scrutinizing recent satellite images of Russia’s vast network of vehicle storage yards, open-source analyst Jompy concluded there were just 2,478 tanks left—down from 3,106 just a few months ago.
And all but 92 T-72Bs from the 1970s are badly rusted and in need of extensive—and expensive—overhaul before they can roll into battle.
That doesn’t mean Russia won’t spend the money to restore these last 2,478 tanks, most of which are 1960s-vintage T-62s or T-64s and T-72s from the ‘70s.
It does mean the effort will take time, potentially years, and also accelerate the war’s drain on the Kremlin’s finances.
All of the tanks can be brought back to working condition, Jompy stressed. “It’s just a matter of money and time, and how willing the Kremlin is to waste its assets.”
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