Forbes: Russian army deploys 1950s-era BTR-50s as newer vehicles become scarce

Jan 20, 2025 - 07:00

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Russia has begun deploying 1950s-era BTR-50 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine as its stocks of modern combat vehicles continue depleting, Forbes reports.

Prior to late 2022, the Russian army maintained only a small number of BTR-50s in secondary support roles. The first confirmed combat loss of the BTR-50 was recorded in October 2023 amid the Battle of Avdiivka. Further on, Russia reactivates more of these antique vehicles amid the staggering equipment losses in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Army’s General Staff estimates that Moscow has lost more than 20,000 armored vehicles and almost 10,000 tanks in Ukraine since 2022. Oryx Blog’s conservative estimate counting only visually confirmed losses stands at 12,000 tanks and armored vehicles.

The BTR-50, which entered service in 1954, is a 15-ton diesel-powered armored tractor carrying two crew members and up to 20 passengers, typically armed with a heavy machine gun. The vehicle served as the Soviet army’s main fighting vehicle until 1966.

Independent analysts identified significant activity at Russia’s 1295th Central Base of Repairs and Storage of Tanks in Arsenyev, Russia’s Far East, where technicians have reactivated dozens of vintage vehicles.

3/ We found 63 BTR-50 at the 1295th which have all been removed and they seem to be in good condition, which is why I would expect to see more BTR-50 losses in the future. pic.twitter.com/1AnLWWMV2O— Highmarsed (@HighMarsed) January 25, 2024

The reactivated fleet, equivalent to two battalions, provides all-terrain transport capacity for hundreds of troops. However, at least 10 BTR-50s have already been lost in combat, according to tallies by the Oryx Blog open-source intelligence project.

Surviving vehicles continue operating along the 800-mile front line, many featuring modifications including new turrets and additional armor protection against explosive drones. One observer described these vehicles as “museum pieces.”