In a recent development, Ukraine has claimed to have successfully destroyed a prized Russian BMP-T armored vehicle, known as the “Terminator,” in the Luhansk region. Serhiy Haidai, the governor of Luhansk, took to his Telegram channel to share aerial photos that appear to show the vehicle being blown up and completely destroyed.
Russian propagandists had previously boasted about the indestructibility of the “Terminator,” but Haidai countered these claims by sharing a clip from Russian state TV showcasing the vehicle near Kreminna in the Russian-occupied city of Luhansk. He wrote on Telegram, “So many beautiful words about the car being almost impossible to destroy….almost.”
The “Terminator” was designed to support other armor and infantry units and could engage three different targets at once, thanks to its four weapons operators. Its weapons system consisted of twin 30mm guns, four Ataka anti-tank missiles with a range of almost four miles, two AG-17D grenade launchers, and a coaxial 7.62mm PKTM machine gun.
First developed in the late 1980s by Russian company Uralvagonzavod, the “Terminator” was purchased by the Russian army in 2017 in limited quantities, with only ten vehicles being acquired. While the “Terminator” has received praise for its impressive design, some Russian reports have questioned its effectiveness, raising concerns about its being more style over substance.
Losing one of these vehicles would be a significant embarrassment for Russia, as it is often viewed as proof of the country’s ability to produce cutting-edge armor. The single company of vehicles was deployed to Luhansk, where Russia appears to have just begun a long-feared offensive.
According to Haidai, Ukrainian forces have successfully repulsed numerous attacks in the area, as Russian forces have increased their aggression in attempts to move westward from Kreminna. He stated that Ukrainian forces have been steadfast in their defense and will continue to do so in the face of any threat.
