Russia Revives 'Object 279' That Can Survive Nuclear Bomb After Its Hyped T-90s Falter In Ukraine

Russia is in the process of reviving 'Object 279,' a 66-ton monster war machine developed in the Soviet era, amid reports of its much-hyped tanks faltering on Ukraine soil under anti-tank munitions and drone attacks.

A video from the Kubinka Tank Museum near Moscow has shown the Object 279 tank being revived to running order. The footage shows the behemoth tank inching forward on the museum grounds. The tank, which roared back to life emitting smoke, has its turret traversed to the rear.

The Object 279, with its bizarre hull form and four sets of tracks, never entered production, but its prototype is back in working order again in Russia, reported The Drive. This is probably the only remaining Object 279 tank anywhere in the world.

While there are no additional details about the restoration work, the video shows the tank is in working condition. The hull and turret have been painted in red primer, likely for a complete respray, hinting at the restoration work.

It is also unclear whether Russia's decision to restore the tank has anything to do with how its war machines are faltering in Ukraine. As per reports, Russia's hyped T-90s have taken a beating in Ukraine, thanks to Javelin and NLAW anti-tank weapons. Videos of tanks damaged in the attack are also doing rounds on social media.

Object 279, the development of which began at Leningrad’s Kirov Plant in 1957, was revolutionary in terms of design. Though heavy tanks were usually fit only for flat terrains, this one was optimized for moving more quickly across rough terrain. According to The Drive, the machine could move over swampy, soft ground and even overcome anti-tank obstacles, including "Czech hedgehogs."

The main armament was in the shape of a 130mm M-65 rifled gun, and 24 rounds of ammunition for it. The gun also had a stabilization system for accurate firing while moving, besides boasting an optical rangefinder, automatic guidance system and a night-sight incorporating an infrared searchlight.

However, the highlight was its bizarre shape and thick armor. The tank, made to fight even on a nuclear battlefield, was equipped with nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection systems. However, Object 279 never went to mass production as the Soviet Union began demoting its heavy tanks to the reserves or decommissioning them entirely by the early 1960s.

Besides, the tanks also had hurdles with regard to their agility and complexity which made field repairs difficult, and issues with their running gear.