Russia's War Machine Runs Dry: Soviet-Era Weapons Depleted, Foreign Reliance Grows

Russia has nearly exhausted its vast stockpiles of Soviet-era tanks and weaponry during its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, forcing it to rely increasingly on foreign suppliers like North Korea, Iran, and China. New analyses show that Russian tank reserves, especially older models like the T-72 and T-80, are being rapidly depleted, with some units resorting to using vehicles dating back to the 1950s. The flow of military equipment from Russian storage facilities has dropped to pre-2022 levels, signaling a critical shortage. As a result, Russia is now fielding outdated and less effective equipment on the front lines, while Ukrainian forces continue to destroy Russian armor. This growing dependence on foreign arms highlights the severe strain on Russia's military capabilities as the war drags on.