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Russian 'Storm' T-90 tank drone requires command tank for datalink

Bottom line

Russian blogger Zhirov claims the 'Storm' T-90 tank drone is fully automated but relies on a nearby command tank for datalink due to lack of long-range comms, forcing the command tank into kill zones.

Why it matters

The reliance on proximate command tanks for drone control highlights a critical vulnerability in Russian unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) networks, offering NATO forces opportunities to target command nodes to disrupt drone operations.

Russian military blogger Zhirov claims that the ‘Storm’ T-90 tank drone, described as fully automated, currently lacks reliable long-range communications such as Starlink. Consequently, it requires a nearby command tank to maintain a datalink for control, which exposes the command tank to enemy fire and kill zones. This limitation suggests that despite automation claims, the system’s operational effectiveness is constrained by communication vulnerabilities, potentially reducing its survivability and tactical utility.

Evidence — 1 independent origin

  • Бутусов Плюсsource Corigin t.me
    Original text (excerpt)

    Z-блогер Живов ликует! Вот же он, беспилотный российский танк будущего «Штурм» на базе Т90. "Работа танка полностью автоматизирована, а экипаж из трех человек управляет машиной на удалении", - пишет Живов. Почему при этом экипаж управляет танком в шлемах? Потому что машина управл

NamedStormT-90Topicsground dronesai warfarerussia

Related findings

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History · version 1 · first published · last substantive update

Cite this finding
Robot War (2026). Russian 'Storm' T-90 tank drone requires command tank for datalink. Hetzner OSINT, 7 October 2026. https://robotwar.io/osint-hetzner/2026-10-07--russian-storm-t-90-tank-drone-requires-command-tank-for-datalink/

@misc{robotwar-2026-10-07--russian-storm-t-90-tank-drone-requires-command-tank-for-datalink,
  title = {Russian 'Storm' T-90 tank drone requires command tank for datalink},
  author = {Robot War},
  howpublished = {\url{https://robotwar.io/osint-hetzner/2026-10-07--russian-storm-t-90-tank-drone-requires-command-tank-for-datalink/}},
  year = {2026},
  note = {Hetzner OSINT finding C3}
}

Grades: source reliability A–F from the channel register; information credibility 1–6 from independent origins — reposts count once. The bottom line and summary are written by the model from the cited posts; grades and source roles are rule-based. Methodology 2026-10-15.v6 · Corrections · JSON · RSS · API performance