It appears that one of the most advanced armored combat vehicles in Russia's military arsenal, the T-14 Armata main battle tank, has undergone testing in Syria, the site of a violent armed conflict which has raged since 2011.
As Russian Minister of Trade and Industry Denis Manturov explained, such tests help understand how the tank would perform under battlefield conditions, and allows any kinks to be ironed out before the vehicle becomes available for export.
The minister also pointed out that the tank has no analogues in the world, and that it is constantly undergoing additional tests and upgrades.
Trial by Fire and Sand: Russian Armata Battle Tank Gets Tested in Syria
© Sputnik / Aleksandr Vilf
The T-14 Armata is currently the world's only post-war third-generation tank, designed for direct combat engagements and close infantry support.
The tank's key features include an unmanned remote-controlled turret and a specialized capsule that houses the vehicle's crew.