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The Russian military has captured a Czech-supplied T-72M1 battle tank from Kiev forces on an unspecified frontline in the Donbass region.
On June 9, photos of the captured T-72M1 battle tank surfaced online. One of the photos revealed that the Soviet-era tank was rebuilt and maintained in Bulgaria by a private company, Apolo Engineering Ltd. The tank was reportedly in a good condition. It will likely be handed over to the armed forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic or the Luhansk People’s Republic.
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The T-7M1 is one of the T-72s older export versions. The battle tank is armed with a powerful 125 mm gun. However, its fire control system and armor are outdated.
Ukraine received hundreds of T-72M1 battle tanks from its allies, more than 240 from Poland alone. Yet, these tanks had no real impact on the battlefield. In fact, many of them have been already destroyed on the frontlines or in missile strikes.
The Czech Republic has supplied Kiev forces with $150 million in military aid supplies since the beginning of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine. More weapons and ammunition will reportedly be supplied in the coming weeks.
Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova told public broadcaster CT on May 29 that Prague intends to soon send Kiev armaments worth $26 million to $30 million.
Cernochova did not provide details on the type or extent of the military aid for security reasons. However, the Czech media reported that T-72 battle tanks, BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, Dana howitzers, and potentially Soviet-made combat helicopters would be among the supplies provided.
Weapons supplies to Ukraine have been hindering peace talks between Kiev and Moscow, de-facto worsening the humanitarian situation in the country.
