Russia returns obsolete T-62 tanks to service amid equipment shortages – Ukrainian intelligence

That is according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), Ukrinform reports.

“In light of large-scale, irrecoverable losses of weapons and military equipment during the war against Ukraine, the Russian Federation is undertaking the mass redeployment of outdated combat vehicles. With reserves of 1970s-era equipment running low, the Russian Armed Forces have now resumed active deployment of even older models, particularly T-62 tanks,” the report said.

Ukrainian intelligence also reported that the refurbishment of these vehicles is primarily taking place at the 103rd Armored Repair Plant in the village of Atamanovka, Transbaikal Territory.

The Defense Intelligence stressed that T-62 tanks are being deployed to the combat zone primarily from storage facilities within Russia’s Eastern Military District. Notably, on June 27, 21 T-62 tanks were transferred from the Eastern Military District to the European part of the Russian Federation.

According to the DIU, the majority of these tanks are in poor technical condition, having been stored outdoors for decades without maintenance. Nonetheless, due to a severe shortage of modern main battle tanks—such as the T-90M and T-72B3M—the return of T-62s to active service is being considered as a temporary yet necessary measure.

As noted, Russia’s ability to produce modern armored vehicles is constrained by limited industrial capacity and a shortage of imported high-tech components. As a result, outdated T-62 tanks are being repurposed not only for active combat roles but also as stationary firing points to reinforce defensive lines.

As earlier reported, Ukrainian intelligence intercepted and deciphered audio messages from Russian military mobile devices that indicate the formation of firing squads within enemy ranks.