The RIA Novosti news outlet has reported that a study indicates that the majority of the 31 US-supplied M1 Abrams tanks delivered to Ukraine have been destroyed. According to the study, only five tanks remain intact, as the rest have either been destroyed or damaged. Ukrainian commanders have decided to pull these remaining tanks from the front lines due to concerns about their vulnerability to superior Russian airpower.
Reports suggest that 26 tanks have been destroyed since they were put into use, a number that aligns with an Associated Press report from April 2024. The report stated that Ukrainian forces had temporarily sidelined the tanks due to difficulties operating them in the face of Russian drone attacks.
An update from a Ukraine war monitor in December 2024 revealed that at least 17 Abrams tanks have been lost, with eight destroyed, one damaged, seven abandoned, and one captured. Given the time that has passed since then, it is likely that more tanks have been disabled or destroyed.
Social media posts have circulated videos showing Abrams tanks being targeted and destroyed, with recent reports indicating that Ukraine lost two tanks in the Sumy Region. The Pentagon’s program to supply and train operators for the tanks was initially hailed as a “game-changer” but has faced setbacks and embarrassment as a significant number of tanks have been lost in combat.
Loading…