A rare Ukrainian BREM-84 Atlet armored recovery vehicle has been spotted on one section of the front. The machine is effectively unique within the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which received only a single example.
The Atlet now looks markedly different from its earlier appearance. It was previously seen in distinctive pixel camouflage, including during parade events, but has since been fitted with extensive additional protection. The vehicle now carries a hedgehog-type protective structure, while extra armor has been mounted along the sides.
The armored recovery vehicle is said to remain operational and continues to serve with one of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ repair and recovery units.
The BREM-84 was developed by the Kharkov Machine Building Design Bureau on the basis of the T-84U Oplot main battle tank. It entered service with the Ukrainian military in 2007, but a lack of funding prevented broader deliveries to Ukraine’s own forces. As a result, the army received only one vehicle, which has occasionally appeared in footage from the combat zone.
Several BREM-84 vehicles were also purchased by Thailand to support the Oplot tanks acquired by the country.
The Atlet is designed to support tank units in the field. Its tasks include recovering damaged armored vehicles, pulling out vehicles that have become stuck, carrying out repairs, performing welding work and handling earthmoving duties.
The vehicle uses an extended seven-road-wheel T-84U chassis and weighs about 46 tons. It is powered by a 1,200-horsepower 6TD-2 diesel engine and can reach speeds of up to 65–70 km/h.
Its standard crew consists of three people: a commander, a driver and a mechanic-specialist. Two additional seats are provided for members of the crew of a tank being recovered.
For self-defense, the BREM-84 was originally fitted with a 12.7 mm machine gun. It is unclear whether the weapon has remained in place after the vehicle received its bulky hedgehog-type protection.