Moscow, Russia — Russia demonstrated its Shturm heavy assault robotic system during the Center-2026 strategic command-and-staff exercises on October 2 at the Chebarkul training range in the Chelyabinsk region. Developed by Uralvagonzavod on the T-72B3M main battle tank chassis, the system is designed to provide fire support to assault units using remotely controlled heavy armored vehicles equipped with tank turrets and BMPT-style combat modules.
Footage released by Uralvagonzavod showed the vehicles operating during the exercises, and Russian President Vladimir Putin was shown the system. However, reports highlighted communication failures and mobility problems during the demonstration.
Development and Design
The Shturm project began around 2018 at the request of the Russian Defense Ministry. Former Uralvagonzavod CEO Alexander Potapov announced the development of a robotic vehicle based on the T-72. One requirement was all-around protection sufficient to withstand 10–15 hits from handheld anti-tank grenade launchers or the detonation of an anti-tank mine.
Engineers added remote-control equipment without fundamentally changing the tank's internal crew compartment, allowing a conventional crew to operate the vehicle manually when required. The vehicle also features a bulldozer blade for clearing obstacles and a roof-mounted multi-camera unit to provide operators with surrounding views.
Four combat configurations were planned:
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125 mm gun: A shortened 125 mm D-414 gun with an approximately 4,000 mm barrel and a 22-round autoloader for close-range urban operations. A 152 mm gun variant was also considered.
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Flamethrower configuration: RPO-2 Shmel rocket-propelled flamethrowers and a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun.
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Automatic cannon configuration: Twin 30 mm 2A42 cannons with up to 1,000 rounds, a 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun and an RPO-2 Shmel launcher.
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Thermobaric rocket configuration: Unguided 220 mm MO.1.01.04M thermobaric rockets similar to those used by the TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system.
The planned vehicle mass was up to 50 tonnes, with a reported remote-control speed of approximately 40 km/h.
Remote Control and Communication Problems
Shturm operates with a dedicated control vehicle based on a T-72-family or T-90-family chassis. Operators use joysticks, FPV headsets and tablets through a multi-channel communication link. The planned control radius is approximately three kilometres, with each station designed to manage a platoon of robotic vehicles. The control vehicle was also intended to have all-around shaped-charge anti-tank protection.
However, reports citing Russian sources stated that the Shturm repeatedly lost its radio connection with the control station during Center-2026.
Tank history researcher Andriy Tarasenko criticised the system's reliance on direct radio communication, noting that technology developed for remotely controlled mine-clearing vehicles does not necessarily translate well to combat vehicles. He said terrain can block the direct line of sight between the vehicle and its operator and suggested satellite communication, including Russia's Rassvet system, as a possible solution.
The available reports do not confirm that satellite communication has been integrated into the demonstrated configuration.
Manual Operation, Mud and Drone Vulnerability
Concerns about remote-control failures reportedly led organisers to use a human driver during the demonstration for President Vladimir Putin. Despite manual operation, photographs from the exercises showed the vehicle stuck in a muddy ditch beside an unpaved road.
The demonstrated configuration also reportedly lacked sufficient additional anti-drone protection. Critics identified the turret roof and engine-transmission compartment as vulnerable areas against attacks from above, including first-person-view (FPV) drones. The full extent of the vehicle's protection package and any planned improvements have not been established.
Center-2026 Exercises and Programme Status
The Center-2026 exercises ran from September 28 to October 3, 2026, involving more than 47,000 personnel overall. The Chebarkul phase included approximately 6,000 personnel, around 700 pieces of equipment, more than 600 unmanned aerial vehicles and over 60 robotic systems. Other equipment displayed included T-14 Armata tanks and ground robots for support tasks.
The Shturm demonstration showed Russia's effort to develop remotely controlled heavy armor for assault support. However, reported communication failures, difficulties moving through muddy terrain and concerns about protection against drones highlight continuing technical challenges. The system remains under development, and its demonstration during the exercises does not establish that it has entered operational service.
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