Satellite imagery highlighted by an open-source intelligence (OSINT) researcher suggests Russia has sharply depleted at least one major depot holding MT-LB tracked armored vehicles, a workhorse platform used for troop transport and as a chassis for multiple Russian weapon variants.

In an OSINT study that was originally published in October and later resurfaced/updated in mid-December, a higher-level assessment pointed to broader drawdowns beyond MT-LB depots. A Dec. 15 Militarnyi report summarizing Jompy’s satellite-imagery study said Russia had already used 4,799 of 7,342 tanks from storage, leaving about 19% of its pre-war tank stock still in depots. The same summary said the biggest drawdowns by model were T-80B/BV (1,409), T-72B (1,251) and T-62 (1,048), while remaining “modern” stocks were smaller and slower to restore (for example, T-90 112 of 112; T-80U/UD 111 of 193; T-72 Ural/A 582 of 1,142; T-64 110 of 752; T-54/55 176 of 313). It also said Russia had refurbished 4,999 of 7,121 BMP-1/2/3 IFVs (about 16% remaining), and that about 39% of a pre-war artillery stockpile of 23,602 systems remained in storage. The same study estimated only 18% of pre-war reactive artillery remained (1,583 systems), and said 6,161 of 11,198 APCs had been mobilized (about 39% remaining), including types such as BTR-series vehicles and MT-LB variants.

In a Nov. 27 report, Militarnyi said OSINT analyst Jompy posted satellite images indicating Russia’s 7004th arsenal — described as one of Russia’s largest storage sites for MT-LBs — is now almost completely empty, with only three heavily damaged vehicles visible.

Militarnyi said the base had previously held several hundred vehicles, which it assessed were likely either shipped to the war or written off.

A Nov. 24 write-up by UNITED24, also citing Jompy’s OSINT thread, similarly framed the imagery as evidence that Russia is pulling older systems from storage as the war consumes equipment, and described the MT-LB as a multi-purpose tracked vehicle that has been widely repurposed in the conflict.

Militarnyi also said the drawdown is not limited to one facility, reporting that updated satellite imagery suggests the 7033rd arsenal — a site it associated with storage of self-propelled artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems — appears close to empty.

What we can say:

• Based on OSINT satellite imagery summarized by Militarnyi, Russia’s 7004th MT-LB storage base appears largely emptied, with three damaged vehicles visible in the latest images cited.
• Secondary coverage describes the site as having previously contained hundreds of MT-LBs, implying a significant drawdown over the course of the war.
• Similar reductions are being reported at other depots, including the 7033rd arsenal, based on separate satellite imagery cited by Militarnyi.

Limits and caveats:

• This assessment is based on what can be counted from satellite imagery of outdoor storage areas and may not capture equipment moved indoors, dispersed elsewhere, destroyed, or stripped for parts.

Wider context:

• The Dutch OSINT group Oryx tracks visually confirmed equipment losses and notes its list only includes items with photo or video evidence, meaning totals are likely higher than recorded. (Oryx tracker methodology)

Bottom line:

Recent satellite imagery highlighted by OSINT researchers and summarized by Ukrainian outlets suggests Russia is drawing down at least one major MT-LB depot, a signal that replacement flows may increasingly depend on older reserve stocks rather than large pools of ready vehicles.