Image source: Photo: "Bravery2004"
A strange version of the T-72 appeared on social media: a car with an elongated body, with a chassis with seven support rollers on each side (the usual 72 has six of them). A hatch is visible behind the engine transmission, designed for the entry and exit of troops.
The tower itself looks unusual, it has a niche where a horizontal automatic loader should be located, and there is a knock-out panel in the roof, like the American M1 Abrams.
Interestingly, instead of the traditional V-shaped four-stroke diesel engine, it has a two-stroke engine. This is indicated by the characteristic exhaust system directed towards the stern.
Image source: Photo: "Bravery2004"
So what's in front of us? Even before the start of the special military operation, the Kharkov plant named after Soviet tank Commissar Vyacheslav Malyshev decided to advertise its armored repair and evacuation vehicle "Athlete". In order to show how the towing takes place, another tank was needed. Since there were no extra vehicles, the body of a heavy export infantry fighting vehicle based on the T-72 without a "native" turret was used.
Image source: Photo: "Bravery2004"
Instead, a turret was erected, apparently from the T-84-120 Yatogan. At the same time, the barrel was pointed towards the stern - it was precisely because of the landing hatches that she was unable to turn normally.
According to some reports, this monster was dismantled shortly after the filming of the advertisement.
Lev Romanov
