Russia is reportedly keeping its top military assets, including the new T-14 Armata tanks, off the battlefield in Ukraine to avoid reputational damage. The invading forces have sent older tanks like the T-90, T-80, and T-72 to the frontline, which suffered heavy losses against Ukrainian troops. The T-14 tanks are said to be too expensive, costing up to $9 million each.
First introduced in 2015, the Armata tank features advanced technology such as thick armor, sensors, and onboard drones for target identification. Its crew can remotely operate the 125-millimeter cannon from inside the tank. Despite being seen in training exercises, there are concerns about deploying it to challenge Western armored vehicles.
In a similar move, Russia has also reportedly sidelined the Su-57 fighter jet in Ukraine to avoid sensitive technologies falling into enemy hands. Introduced in 2020, the fifth-generation fighter aircraft was designed for various combat roles. Moscow’s fear of reputational damage and technology loss may be limiting the use of these advanced assets in the conflict.
