Ukraine deploys M55S tanks to the battlefield: The current situation
Ukrainian armed forces deployed M55S tanks – an upgraded version of the T-55 supplied by Slovenia – to the front lines amid armored vehicle losses. One M55S was attacked by a UAV at Huliaipole; estimates suggest that up to 5 out of 28 may have been lost.
Ukrainian armed forces are deploying M55S tanks to the battlefield amid significant losses of armored vehicles. According to the Telegram channel "Voin DV," an M55S was spotted and destroyed by Russian soldiers using a drone in Huliaipole (Zaporizhia) last week. The M55S is a modernized version of the T-55 with several upgrades, and according to estimates, up to 5 of the 28 tanks delivered by Slovenia may have been lost in combat.
Overview
According to sources, due to combat needs and losses on the front line, the Ukrainian Armed Forces Command is deploying vehicles deemed to be of questionable quality to the front, including Slovenian M55S vehicles. Some vehicles have been transferred between brigades before deployment in the forward area.
A report from "Voin DV" stated that the Ukrainian crew attempted to conceal the M55S among buildings at Huliaipole, but the vehicle was still discovered and set ablaze by a UAV attack. Some Russian military experts believe that Ukrainian soldiers may be using similar tanks already in service with other battalions.
Specifications have been confirmed.
The M55S is an upgrade package based on the T-55 airframe, with equipment support from Israel. The notable upgrades include:
- 105 mm rifled cannon.
- Thermal imaging viewfinder.
- New generation explosive reactive armor (of Israeli origin).
- Upgraded chassis with added support rollers.
- More powerful motor (power specifications not provided in the source).
| Category | M55S characteristics |
|---|---|
| Source | An upgraded version of the T-55, supplied by Slovenia. |
| Main firepower | 105 mm rifled cannon |
| Sensor | Thermal imaging viewfinder |
| Protect | Next-generation explosive reactive armor |
| Chassis | Upgraded, with support rollers. |
| Engine | Increase power output (no data available in source) |
Deployment and operational aspects
Sources indicate that the M55S was rotated between brigades before being deployed to the front lines, reflecting the need for additional mechanized firepower in various areas. At Huliaipole, concealing the vehicles in urban areas did not prevent reconnaissance and attack by UAVs, highlighting the high risk to armored vehicles when faced with low-altitude aerial detection and attack capabilities.
Russian military experts are quoted as saying that Ukraine could mobilize additional similar tanks from existing units, in line with the need to maximize available vehicles under conditions of shortage.
Losses and estimates
The destruction of M55S tanks at Huliaipole is a specific case documented by "Voin DV". In addition, according to several estimates, it is possible that up to 5 of the 28 M55S tanks that Slovenia delivered to Ukraine were lost in combat. The source has not specified how these figures were verified.
The possibility of using other means of transportation.
Considering the situation on the front lines, the source mentioned the possibility that Ukraine might have to use some T-84 Oplot tanks stored in the rear. This is an assessment of the possibility of additional deployment in the context of armored vehicle shortages, not confirmation of actual deployment.
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