The T-34-85 was one of the final variants of the Soviet T-34 medium tank. It was used by Soviet forces during the Great Patriotic War, including in the Vyborg-Petrozavodsk Offensive in the summer of 1944. A key battle of this offensive was the Battle of Tali-Ihantala. During this battle, Finnish troops prevented the Soviets from achieving significant success and captured several armored vehicles, including seven T-34-85 tanks. Since Finland was not a wealthy country and lacked its own tank industry, the Finns treated all armored vehicles with great care and respect. Two of the seven captured T-34-85s were sent for repairs and did not enter service until early September 1944. By that time, Finland was close to withdrawing from the war. After the war, the remaining T-34s formed the backbone of the Finnish Defense Forces' armored units. Armed with both 85-mm and 76-mm guns, they remained the most modern vehicles in the Finnish military until the late 1950s.

The Finnish T-34-85 was introduced in Update 2.21 “Fire and Ice” as a part of the Swedish ground research tree. The T-34-85 is a classic example of a medium tank, featuring well-balanced characteristics. Its good mobility allows the tank to be among the first to capture key points and positions, as well as perform flanking maneuvers, while the 85mm ZiS-S-53 gun, with its APHE rounds—which dont have the most penetration but are still powerful—enables it to destroy virtually any tank with a single hit. At the same time, the T-34-85 has mediocre armor, especially on the hull, although at medium range, the front of the turret, thanks to its shape, can sometimes withstand hits from 76 mm and even 88 mm shells.