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Legends of Soviet Hardware: History of Russian Tank Production in Pictures

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Legendary tanks of the Russian military – in our photo gallery.

Ninety-five years ago, on August 31, 1920, the Krasnoe Sormovo factory produced the first Soviet tank. Since then, Russia has produced a number of armored machines holding a special place in the history of warfare.

Legendary tanks of the Russian military – in our photo gallery.

© Sputnik / Ramil SitdikovThe T-90 Vladimir is a Russian third-generation main battle tank, developed as a modernized version of the T-72B. Currently, it is the most modern tank in service with the Russian Ground Forces and Naval Infantry. The tank entered service in 1993. The T-90 has gained popularity in foreign defense markets due to its costs and quality as well as outstanding reliability.
Above: A T-90 taking part in the display program during the 3rd international forum Technologies in Engineering-2014 in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow.
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The T-90 Vladimir is a Russian third-generation main battle tank, developed as a modernized version of the T-72B. Currently, it is the most modern tank in service with the Russian Ground Forces and Naval Infantry. The tank entered service in 1993. The T-90 has gained popularity in foreign defense markets due to its costs and quality as well as outstanding reliability.
Above: A T-90 taking part in the display program during the 3rd international forum Technologies in Engineering-2014 in Zhukovsky, outside Moscow.
© Sputnik / Boris KudoyarovThe KV is a Soviet heavy tank that was in service in the Red Army during World War II. KV stands for Kliment Voroshilov, a Soviet defense commissar and politician. The tank was produced from August 1939 to August 1942. It was involved in the Finnish War and the Great Patriotic War. The KV series was known for its heavy armor protection, so it was nicknamed the "Russian Colossus" by the Nazis.
Above: KV tanks going to war from Palace Square in Leningrad.
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The KV is a Soviet heavy tank that was in service in the Red Army during World War II. KV stands for Kliment Voroshilov, a Soviet defense commissar and politician. The tank was produced from August 1939 to August 1942. It was involved in the Finnish War and the Great Patriotic War. The KV series was known for its heavy armor protection, so it was nicknamed the "Russian Colossus" by the Nazis.
Above: KV tanks going to war from Palace Square in Leningrad.
© SputnikThe T-34 was a Soviet medium tank and the main battle tank in the Red Army until the first half of 1944. It was the most-produced medium tank during World War II. The T-34 played a major role in the course of the war and greatly influenced the tank-manufacturing industry. Many specialists and military experts have repeatedly named the T-34 one of the best tanks of the WWII period.
Above: A picture of a T-34 tank from the Central Museum of the Soviet Armed Forces, Moscow.
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The T-34 was a Soviet medium tank and the main battle tank in the Red Army until the first half of 1944. It was the most-produced medium tank during World War II. The T-34 played a major role in the course of the war and greatly influenced the tank-manufacturing industry. Many specialists and military experts have repeatedly named the T-34 one of the best tanks of the WWII period.
Above: A picture of a T-34 tank from the Central Museum of the Soviet Armed Forces, Moscow.
© Photo : Public domainThe Tsar Tank (also known as Lebedenko Tank) was an unconventional Russian armored vehicle developed by Nikolai Lebedenko and a team of engineers in 1914-1915. It differed from modern tanks in that it did not use caterpillar tracks—rather, it used a tricycle design. The project was scrapped after tests proved the tank was underpowered and vulnerable to artillery fire. The single built tank was finally taken apart for scrap.
Above: The Tsar Tank during tests in 1915.
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The Tsar Tank (also known as Lebedenko Tank) was an unconventional Russian armored vehicle developed by Nikolai Lebedenko and a team of engineers in 1914-1915. It differed from modern tanks in that it did not use caterpillar tracks—rather, it used a tricycle design. The project was scrapped after tests proved the tank was underpowered and vulnerable to artillery fire. The single built tank was finally taken apart for scrap.
Above: The Tsar Tank during tests in 1915.
© SputnikThe IS-2 (Object 240) is a Soviet heavy tank from the WWII period. The IS, standing for Joseph Stalin, was the official name for Soviet mass-produced heavy tanks produced in 1943-1953. The IS-2 was the most powerful and most heavily armored Soviet tank during the war. After the war ended, IS-2 tanks were modernized and were in service in the Soviet/Russian Armed Forces until 1995.
Above: Workers preparing an IS-2 heavy tank to be sent to war.
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The IS-2 (Object 240) is a Soviet heavy tank from the WWII period. The IS, standing for Joseph Stalin, was the official name for Soviet mass-produced heavy tanks produced in 1943-1953. The IS-2 was the most powerful and most heavily armored Soviet tank during the war. After the war ended, IS-2 tanks were modernized and were in service in the Soviet/Russian Armed Forces until 1995.
Above: Workers preparing an IS-2 heavy tank to be sent to war.
© Sputnik / Vladimir SmolyakovThe T-64 is a Soviet second-generation main battle tank introduced in the early 1960s. It was developed in the early 1960s by the Kharkov engineering bureau, the Ukrainian SSR. The tank has been in production since 1969. A revolutionary feature of the T-64 is the incorporation of an automatic loader for its 125-mm gun, allowing one crew member's position to be omitted and helping to keep the size and weight of the tank down.
Above: Soviet T-64 tanks during drills.
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The T-64 is a Soviet second-generation main battle tank introduced in the early 1960s. It was developed in the early 1960s by the Kharkov engineering bureau, the Ukrainian SSR. The tank has been in production since 1969. A revolutionary feature of the T-64 is the incorporation of an automatic loader for its 125-mm gun, allowing one crew member's position to be omitted and helping to keep the size and weight of the tank down.
Above: Soviet T-64 tanks during drills.
© Sputnik / Igor RussakThe T-80 is a Soviet third-generation main battle tank. It was the first production tank with a gas turbine engine for main propulsion. The T-80 entered service in the Russian military in 1976.
Above: A T-80 tank during the Heroes Race at the Pesochinsky field in the Leningrad Region.
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The T-80 is a Soviet third-generation main battle tank. It was the first production tank with a gas turbine engine for main propulsion. The T-80 entered service in the Russian military in 1976.
Above: A T-80 tank during the Heroes Race at the Pesochinsky field in the Leningrad Region.
© Photo : Public domain KhT-26 was a Soviet light flame-throwing tank, developed as a version of the T-26 tank. It was produced in several series, in 1932-1936. Depending on the combat task, the cistern of the tank could be filled with smoke-generating liquid, poisonous chemicals as well as water or a soap solution to clean up the area.
Above: A KhT-26 tank.
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KhT-26 was a Soviet light flame-throwing tank, developed as a version of the T-26 tank. It was produced in several series, in 1932-1936. Depending on the combat task, the cistern of the tank could be filled with smoke-generating liquid, poisonous chemicals as well as water or a soap solution to clean up the area.
Above: A KhT-26 tank.
© Sputnik / KhomenkoThe BT-7 was the last of the BT series of light tanks produced in the 1930-1940s. Despite its light armor, the tank was well-armed for its time and had better mobility than its contemporary analogues. In June 1941, when Nazi Germany invaded the USSR, the BT-7 was the main battle tank of the Red Army. The BT-7 was also employed in Soviet operations against Japanese held territories in the Battle of Khalkhyn Gol.
Above: A picture of a BT-7 tank from the book "Weapons of Victory 1941-1945".
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The BT-7 was the last of the BT series of light tanks produced in the 1930-1940s. Despite its light armor, the tank was well-armed for its time and had better mobility than its contemporary analogues. In June 1941, when Nazi Germany invaded the USSR, the BT-7 was the main battle tank of the Red Army. The BT-7 was also employed in Soviet operations against Japanese held territories in the Battle of Khalkhyn Gol.
Above: A picture of a BT-7 tank from the book "Weapons of Victory 1941-1945".
© Sputnik / ZelmaThe T-26 was a Soviet light infantry tank used during many conflicts in the 1930s and in World War II. It was a development of the English-made Vickers 6-Ton tank. The tank entered service in 1931. The T-26 was famous for its reliability and simplicity to maintain and was continually upgraded between 1931 and 1941.
Above: Troops of the Pechenin unit taking a break near a T-26 tank after combat.
Legends of Soviet Hardware: History of Russian Tank Production in Pictures - Sputnik International
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The T-26 was a Soviet light infantry tank used during many conflicts in the 1930s and in World War II. It was a development of the English-made Vickers 6-Ton tank. The tank entered service in 1931. The T-26 was famous for its reliability and simplicity to maintain and was continually upgraded between 1931 and 1941.
Above: Troops of the Pechenin unit taking a break near a T-26 tank after combat.
© Sputnik / Ramil SitdikovThe T-60 is a Soviet light tank of the WWII period. It was developed in August 1941, and in September entered service in the Red Army. It was manufactured at several factories across the country. The production ended in February 1943. A total of 5,920 T-60’s were produced. Many of them were actively involved in the Great Patriotic War. Now, only six T-60 tanks are preserved, they are displayed in museums in Russia and Finland.
Above: A T-60 light tank during a march devoted to the legendary parade of November 7, 1941, Red Square, Moscow.
Legends of Soviet Hardware: History of Russian Tank Production in Pictures - Sputnik International
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The T-60 is a Soviet light tank of the WWII period. It was developed in August 1941, and in September entered service in the Red Army. It was manufactured at several factories across the country. The production ended in February 1943. A total of 5,920 T-60’s were produced. Many of them were actively involved in the Great Patriotic War. Now, only six T-60 tanks are preserved, they are displayed in museums in Russia and Finland.
Above: A T-60 light tank during a march devoted to the legendary parade of November 7, 1941, Red Square, Moscow.
© Sputnik / Mikhail FilimonovThe T-28 was a Soviet three-turret medium tank developed from 1930-1932. The tank was armed with a gun and machine guns. It was an infantry support tank intended to break through fortified defenses. The T-28 was designed to complement the heavier T-35 (also multi-turreted), with which it shared turret designs. At the time of its development, it was the most powerful medium tank in the world.
Above: A copy of a T-28 picture from the Museum of the Soviet Armored Forces.
Legends of Soviet Hardware: History of Russian Tank Production in Pictures - Sputnik International
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The T-28 was a Soviet three-turret medium tank developed from 1930-1932. The tank was armed with a gun and machine guns. It was an infantry support tank intended to break through fortified defenses. The T-28 was designed to complement the heavier T-35 (also multi-turreted), with which it shared turret designs. At the time of its development, it was the most powerful medium tank in the world.
Above: A copy of a T-28 picture from the Museum of the Soviet Armored Forces.
© Sputnik / Sergey SamokhinThe T-71 Ural was a Soviet battle tanks. It was the most produced second-generation main battle tank. It entered service in the Soviet Army in 1973. The T-72 was designed and manufactured by Uralvagonzavod in the city of Nizhny Tagil. The T-72 is used by the armies of CIS countries. It was exported to Warsaw Pact nations, Finland, India, Iran, Iraq and Syria.
Above: A group of Russian T-72 tanks crossing a river during military drills in Belarus.
Legends of Soviet Hardware: History of Russian Tank Production in Pictures - Sputnik International
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The T-71 Ural was a Soviet battle tanks. It was the most produced second-generation main battle tank. It entered service in the Soviet Army in 1973. The T-72 was designed and manufactured by Uralvagonzavod in the city of Nizhny Tagil. The T-72 is used by the armies of CIS countries. It was exported to Warsaw Pact nations, Finland, India, Iran, Iraq and Syria.
Above: A group of Russian T-72 tanks crossing a river during military drills in Belarus.
© Sputnik / Mikhail FilimonovThe T-70 is a Soviet light tank of the WWII period. It was developed in 1941 by the GAZ car-manufacturing plant. Starting summer 1941, T-70 tanks were actively used in combat during the Great Patriotic War. The tank reached the height of its combat career during the Battle of Kursk in 1943.
Above: A copy of a T-70 tank painting from the Museum of the Soviet Armored Forces.
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The T-70 is a Soviet light tank of the WWII period. It was developed in 1941 by the GAZ car-manufacturing plant. Starting summer 1941, T-70 tanks were actively used in combat during the Great Patriotic War. The tank reached the height of its combat career during the Battle of Kursk in 1943.
Above: A copy of a T-70 tank painting from the Museum of the Soviet Armored Forces.
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