The Russian Armed Forces have started using the T-14, the country's most advanced battle tank, in the zone of the special military operation in Ukraine, a well-informed source told Sputnik.
The Armata tanks are being used to shell Ukrainian troop positions; however, these armed vehicles have not yet been involved in “direct assault operations,” the source said.
According to the insider, the T-14s taking part in the Russian special operation have been fitted with "additional side protection from anti-tank ammunition."
The source added that Armata crews earlier underwent training at firing ranges located in one of the people's republics of Donbass which became part of Russia last year.
Touted as the world's only third-generation tank with no equal, the Armata has a combat module that is completely remote-controlled, while the crew is securely accommodated in an armored capsule isolated from both the fuel section and munitions. This means that in the event of the tank being hit, its crew is more likely to survive.
The T-14’s armament includes a 125-mm smooth-bore cannon and a 7.62-mm remote-controlled machine gun.