Since its inception, the T-64 main battle tank has been kept in a state of high secrecy. The mysterious tank was strictly confined to the Soviet Union in the early stages of development, and little is known about it. This led Western intelligence officers to misunderstand what they saw as the "M-1970" (i.e., T-64) before the Soviet officer Viktor Suvorov defected to Britain. They mistakenly believed that the M-1970 was a simplified version of the T-72, and even experts believed that the M-1970 was a prototype of the T-64 T-72, and the T-64 was the T-72A.
In fact, the T-64 has never been exported to any country or region, partly due to its secrecy nature, and partly because its complexity and advanced nature make it difficult for other countries to master and maintain. As a result, the T-64 had relatively little combat experience, and the only real combat records were mainly from the first Chechen war. In this conflict, the T-64 was deployed in the Chechen region and demonstrated its powerful firepower and maneuverability. However, due to the lack of real combat experience, as well as the record of confrontations with Western tanks, the real combat capabilities of the T-64 remain a mystery.
In 1967, the 41st Guards Tank Division of the Soviet Union, as well as the Kiev Military District, became the first units to be equipped with T-64 tanks. Behind this decision, there are many factors to consider. First of all, the two units are close to the production plant of the T-64 tank, which greatly reduces the cost of transportation, and at the same time ensures that the technical staff of the plant can quickly provide technical support when there are technical problems in the service process of the tank. Such a geographical location advantage undoubtedly provides a more convenient way for the troops to maintain and maintain their services.
In addition, the priority of equipping T-64 tanks with the 41st Guards Tank Division and the Kyiv Military District also helped the crew to learn the handling and maintenance skills of the new tank from the factory technicians. This learning opportunity is essential for the rapid adaptation and combat effectiveness of the troops. Through exchanges and learning with professional and technical personnel, the crew members of the unit can have a deeper understanding of the performance characteristics, operation essentials and maintenance knowledge of the T-64 tank, so as to give full play to the maximum effectiveness of the tank in actual combat.
On the whole, the T-64 tank was first equipped with the 41st Guards Tank Division and the Kiev Military District in 1967, a decision that took into account not only the convenience of the geographical location, but also the actual operational needs of the troops. This series of carefully planned measures are all aimed at ensuring that the T-64 tank can exert its powerful combat effectiveness in the shortest possible time and inject new vitality into the military power of the Soviet Union.
In May 1992, the 59th Guards Motorized Rifle Division of Moldova carried out the first combat deployment of T-64 tanks. At that time, they deployed T-64BV tanks, which were tanks with high firepower and excellent protection. However, the war was brutal, and the T-64BV tank suffered serious losses in the war. At least 3 tanks were destroyed by 100 mm towed anti-tank guns and several RPG-7 rocket launchers and Molotov cocktails, which caused serious damage to the T-64BV tank. In addition, 2 tanks were damaged, but fortunately, these tanks were able to return to service after repairs after the war.
In this battle, the T-64BV tank, although it suffered losses, its excellent performance and powerful firepower posed a great threat to the enemy. This also testifies to the reliability and effectiveness of the T-64BV tank in real combat. Despite the brutality of the war, the first combat deployment of the T-64BV tank provided significant support to the Moldovan army and played an important role in this war.
In conclusion, the first combat deployment of the T-64BV tank, although it suffered losses, its excellent performance and powerful firepower played an important role in the war.
The T-64 main battle tank was an important equipment of the Soviet armored forces during the Cold War, and was mainly deployed in the Soviet Army's first-class tank divisions and tank independent regiments near the European borders of the Soviet Union. These units, stationed in the Guards Division near Moscow, as well as units stationed in Hungary and East Germany, were the main deployment sites of the T-64 tanks. The task of these units was to secure the borders of the USSR and prevent enemy invasion.
In addition, there are some units on low alert that are equipped with this tank. These units are usually not directly involved in operations, but rather act as reserves or strategic mobile forces, ready to respond to unexpected situations. These units had a lower level of equipment, and therefore a smaller number of T-64 tanks.
The T-64 main battle tank, as a representative of the Soviet armored forces, had a high degree of mobility, protection and firepower. Its appearance changed the pattern of the European theater during the Cold War and became one of the important means of military confrontation between the Soviet Union and Western countries. The T-64 tank played an important role in the military strategy of the USSR and was not only the backbone of the Soviet defense forces, but also one of the core equipment of the Soviet armored forces.