This is a valid question, and one driven by what we're seeing.
They have a lot of tanks in storage, and one question that has to be answered is their 'true' condition. (i.e. the number that can be quickly put into service, or ever, may be lower than reported).
I've read accounts from tank crew on Russian websites. Take from it what you will. But what I got from it was that Russian tankers, by in large, are surviving as a corps. Here are some points:
-T-80s are effective tanks in this war. They have better speed/mobility than other tanks, and better reverse speeds. This has turned out to be tactically relevant in several instances.
-Russian T-80s [and some other models] are only operating with the rounds inside the armoured carousel during anti-tank missions. [~10 rounds available?] This is to reduce the chance of catastrophic detonation upon penetration.
OTOH, Russian tankers report that Ukrainian tanks are loaded to maximum with shells. This has led to catastrophic detonations during combat.
-There are several Russian armour units that have performed successful anti-tank operations during this campaign, making them veteran units. They seem to believe, conversely, that Ukraine's armoured personnel have been severely depleted during the military operation. Ukraine may no longer have the body of professional tankers that it began with.
Yes, there are interesting accounts out there, and I think there's a paucity of discussion of them in the English language. We're learning, for example, that T-80 gas-turbine mobility may be more useful than the Russian procurement plans suggested. Learning the value (maybe) of going out on missions with only the rounds in the armoured carousel.
Sadly, I don't see a lot of discussion of this, just the discussion generated by Western sniping that is disguised as "reporting." [i.e. Russia lost x number of tanks]. Russia has been increasing the speed of its advances over the past months, so that does not suggest catastrophic armoured losses on their part. And you're seeing Ukraine military driving around Donbass in civilian vehicles.
