T-72 and Msta. Destroyed Russian Equipment Exhibited in Warsaw

Msta-S is a Russian 152 mm self-propelled howitzer gun, developed back in the 1980s, as a replacement for the 2S3 Msta, and 2S5 Hiatsint systems. The main armament comes in a form of the 2A64 howitzer, with a 40-cal. long barrel, placed in a rotating turret, on a tracked platform. The carrier platform utilizes components of the T-72, as well as the T-80 MBTs. It offers a rate of fire up to 8 rounds per minute, with a range defined as almost 30 kilometers. On the day of the invasion, Russia reportedly had 700 artillery pieces like that, whereas 200 were kept in storage. Ukraine also operates 35 to 40 Msta-S self-propelled howitzers.

The second exhibited vehicle came in a form of the 1989 edition of the T-72B MBT. It had no Kontakt-5 ERA visible - this element was destroyed. This variant is often mistaken for the T-72B3/B3M - the vehicles are very much similar. This upgrade was not common. The scope of modernization included the addition of new ERA armour.

The MBT in question became a predecessor of the T-72B3 - the most common of the Russian T-72 upgrades, considering the number of active vehicles. Given the state of the MBT, it cannot be ruled out that we are dealing with the T-72BA here. A major number of standard T-72Bs were upgraded to that standard - less advanced than the T-72B3. The same applies to the T-72B 1989 model. The vehicle has several variants. Its fire control system is far less advanced than the one of the T-72B3.

Images: Piotr Miedziński, Defence24