Russia hasn’t received a proper top tier tank since 2021 with the T-80bvm. The T-90M and T-90M Arena simply cant compete at top tier. As if their poor mobility of 60km isn’t bad enough, The 4km revere speed and 7 second reload makes it pretty terrible.
With recent updates tanks like Abrams SEP V3, Leopard 2A7 / 2A6 HEL, STRV ect the Russia teams is starting to really struggle, just look at the recent win rates. Many of these tanks even have better amour than the T-90M (which is the tanks only “good” part). Sure the T-90M has better amour than the T-80bvm. But it has the same weak spots (which are easier to hit due to the 4km reverse speed. Not to mention most spots where you cant PEN a T-90M you also cant PEN on a T-80bvm.
So what does Russia needs, most likely something built on a T-80. There are a few good options we would get aswell.
T-80U-E1 with Relikt
T-80U with Burlak turret
(upload://g9xhbJ13enG7x3Rc9oZW41LAKUU.jpeg)
Object 219M
After spading the T-90M Arena (even with the ERA upgrade) I feel there is almost never a time where I would rather be using the T-90M over the T-80BVM. Hell IMO the T-80U/E1 at BR 12.0 is a superior tank than the T-90M.