The T-90 tank, which became the subject of discussion when a participant in the special military operation in Ukraine asked President Vladimir Putin for it, represents a prominent element of Russia’s evolving tank fleet. This assessment was shared by Anatoly Matviychuk, a military analyst and retired colonel of the Russian Armed Forces, in discussions on tapes.ru.
According to the analyst, the T-90 stands as a leading example of Russia’s main battle tanks. In ongoing combat operations, the vehicle has earned a reputation for reliability and effectiveness, underscoring its pivotal role in modern armored formations.
“Its deployment has been broad, including international deployments where it operated with allied forces, participated in regional conflicts, and now supports operations in Ukraine. This illustrates the direction of Russia’s tank fleet in the years ahead,” the expert noted.
On December 24, a video recorded on the Telegram channel captured the ceremony where state awards were presented to soldiers of the Russian Armed Forces who distinguished themselves on the battlefield. The medals were personally presented by President Putin, who briefly referenced the request from one of the soldiers regarding the tank for his team.
As the head of state remarked, during an earlier encounter with Heroes of the Russian Federation, one fighter asked for a tank for his unit. Putin expressed surprise at the soldier’s stance, pointing out that the appeal did not come with any explicit incentive or reward linked to a holiday or payment.
Earlier reports from the Russian Ministry of Defense highlighted other servicemen who had been honored with the title Hero of the Russian Federation since the start of the Northern Military District’s activities, underscoring the broader context of recognition within the armed forces.