For the defense of Donbas, the Armed Forces of Ukraine introduced Т-72М1R tanks of Polish modernization.

Photos with tanks were published by analysts of Ukraine Weapons Tracker.

Modernized tanks from Poland were transmitted to Ukraine without reactive armour.

In the photos, it is noticeable that the Ukrainian military installed Kontact-1 reactive armour on tanks.

It is worth noting that on one of them smoke grenade launchers were removed, for more convenient installation of Kontact-1 elements.

In mid-May, it became known that Ukraine was supplied with the 4S20 Kontact-1 ERA explosive elements.

These elements protect armored vehicles from enemy HEAT shells. When attacked by a penetrating weapon, the explosive detonates, forcibly driving the metal plates apart to damage the penetrator.

Against a shaped charge, the projected plates disrupt the metallic jet penetrator, effectively providing a greater path-length of material to be penetrated.

Т-72M1R

Despite Poland’s receiving Leopard and Abrams tanks, Т-72 ​​ was still used by the Polish Army. Gradually they were planned to be upgraded to the Т-72M1R level.

This modernization is distinguished by the presence of a thermal sight, passive night vision devices, a digital communication system (which allows you to integrate tanks into a single battle control system), baskets for crew property, new electrical equipment and caterpillars.

The changes also affected the engine, which was replaced by a more powerful and was equipped with a digital start-up system. Part of the equipment is identical to what is installed on the Leopard-2 tanks.

Externally, the Т-72M1R differ in the absence of infrared spotlight, which is usually mounted to the right of the gun. The disadvantages of this version Polish experts include the absence of a laser radiation detector. Armament and armor protection also do not change.