PT-91 tanks from Poland spotted in the Zaporizhzhia sector

4 December, 2023 PT-91 Twardy tank of the Ukrainian military in the Zaporizhzhia region. December 2023. Ukraine.

Frame from the video by Suspilne Zaporizhzhia PT-91 Twardy tanks, which Poland handed over to the Ukrainian military, were spotted in the Zaporizhzhia sector. The footage of these tanks was shown on Suspilne Zaporizhzhia TV.

Polish tanks are in service in one of the Ukrainian separate mechanized brigades defending this sector. Ukrainian soldiers said they had mastered tanks in Poland in just five weeks. "The Poles said they had been mastering it for 3 years, and we told them we had no choice," said the PT-91 tank crew.

In the Zaporizhzhia region, PT-91 tanks are engaged in combat operations against the enemy from closed positions, mainly firing at Russian infantry.

Back in July 2022, the Head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, stated that Ukraine had received the first PT-91 Twardy tanks. In January 2023, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced plans to transfer 60 tanks to Ukraine, including 30 PT-91 Twardy tanks. The RT-91 Twardy is the main battle tank of the Polish Army.

These tanks were made based on a licensed version of the Soviet ?-72?1 MBT.

PT-91 Twardy tank of the Ukrainian military in the Zaporizhzhia region. December 2023. Ukraine.

Frame from the video by Suspilne Zaporizhzhia

The prototypes were manufactured in 1993. Its basic version was mass-produced at Bumar-Labedy until 2002. ??-91 has modern fire control and communication systems.

Tank and crew protection is further enhanced by the mounted reactive armor of Polish production.

PT-91 Twardy tank.

Photo credits: Mroz/Defence24.pl

The tank is equipped with a locally produced 850 hp PZL-Wola S-12U diesel engine.