Ukraine's 117th Brigade Now Fighting With Polish Tanks On Zaporizhzhia Front

The implication is that Ukraine's relations remain strong despite certain trade disputes. Poland and Ukraine both recognize that they face the same threat from Russia and that they have to support each other. 

As with most Ukrainian tanks, they are being used for indirect artillery support and against infantry attacks. As an upgraded version of the Russian T-72 made under license, this tank has proven its value. Its appearance on the southern Zaporizhzhia front suggests that offensive capabilities are still front of mind for Ukraine. JL 

Militarnyi reports:

The 117th Mechanized Brigade was created only in February 2023 and equipped with Polish PT-91 tanks in 2023. The PT-91 'Twardy' main battle tank of the Polish army was made on the basis of the licensed version of the Soviet Т-72М1 MBT. Usually Ukrainian PТ-91 tanks conduct combat missions on the enemy from indirect positions or mainly fire on Russian infantry. These Polish tanks are engaged in Zaporizhzhia

The Armed Forces of Ukraine equipped the newly formed brigade with Polish PT-91 tanks in 2023.

Twardy tanks were received by the 117th Mechanized Brigade, which was created only in February 2023.

Last year, the Ukrainian army seriously increased its forces to repel the Russian invasion of Ukraine.By the end of February 2023, the brigade consisted of more than 3,000 people and was armed with modern equipment and weapons.

The transfer of these tanks should strengthen the armored forces of the new brigade.

Tank PT-91 Twardy of the 117th Mechanized Brigade. January 2024. Ukraine. Photo credits: 10th Army Corps

Usually tanks PТ-91 conduct combat missions on the enemy from indirect positions or mainly fire on Russian infantry.

Recall that in January 2023, Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki announced plans to transfer 60 tanks to Ukraine, among them 30 PT-91 Twardy.

 

The PT-91 main battle tank of the Polish army was made on the basis of the licensed version of the Soviet Т-72М1 MBT.

The tank is relatively new; the first prototypes were made only in 1993. The base variant was mass-produced at Bumar Labedy until 2002.

Tank PT-91 Twardy of the 117th Mechanized Brigade. January 2024. Ukraine. Photo credits: 10th Army Corps

РТ-91 has modern fire control and communication systems. Tank and crew protection is further enhanced by mounted reactive armor.

The fighting vehicle is equipped with a PZL-Wola S-12U diesel engine with a capacity of 850 hp of its own production. In December, these Polish tanks were engaged in Zaporizhzhia