Combat Vehicle Renamed
Uralvagonzavod, the Russian defense manufacturer, has decided to rename its Tank Support Combat Vehicle (BM PT) from "Terminator" to "Spiridon." This change came at the request of the plant's workers and vehicle crews, and in response to new Russian legislation restricting the use of foreign loanwords in the Russian language. During the naming process, approximately 10,000 suggestions were submitted.
Final Name Choices
Among the considered alternatives were names like:
- Dobrynya
- Bogatyr
- Dmitry Donskoy
- Uralets
Ultimately, Spiridon was selected, a name with deep cultural resonance in Russia. As Uralvagonzavod representatives explained,
“Spiridon is a rare but highly revered name among our people. Its meaning is strong, sturdy, reliable.”
Spiridon is also the first name of Vladimir Putin's paternal grandfather—Spiridon Ivanovich Putin, born in 1879. Historical records indicate that Putin's grandfather worked as a cook for Vladimir Lenin. The BM PT Terminator, which will now carry this new designation, entered service with the Russian army in 2018. It is armed with two 30mm automatic cannons, Ataka-T anti-tank missiles, and a PKTM machine gun. Some variants are also equipped with automatic grenade launchers. The vehicle has a crew of five.
It is worth noting that on the night of June 2, 2026, Russia launched a combined attack using strike drones and air-, sea-, and ground-based missiles. The cities of Kyiv, Dnipro, and Kharkiv, as well as the Poltava and Chernihiv regions, among others, came under fire.
Renaming the combat vehicle to Spiridon reflects Russian manufacturers' efforts to adapt to new conditions, particularly legislative changes limiting foreign terminology. The choice of a name with cultural and historical significance may also signal a desire to emphasize patriotism and national identity amid ongoing military operations. This decision could be part of a broader strategy to boost morale among troops and the public during the conflict.