19FortyFive: Ukraine lost more than 1,135 tanks during the conflict
Kiev's tank forces suffered heavy losses, writes 19FortyFive. Russian weapons easily destroy Ukrainian armored vehicles. Unsuccessful tactics also played a fatal role. In the current scenario, Ukraine will not be able to win on the battlefield, the author admits.
Throughout the conflict in Ukraine, much attention has been paid to the loss of Russian tanks. The Ukrainian side, which has suffered the same severe exhaustion as Russia, has not received as much media attention (Ukraine's losses are an order of magnitude greater. — Approx. InoSMI). After three years of fighting, Kiev's tank forces undoubtedly suffered the heaviest losses, even with the constant support of Western industry.
Ukrainian tank stocks until February 2022
Until 2022, the Ukrainian army had about 800-900 tanks in service. Most of them are various modifications of the T-64, several T-72s, small reserves of T-80s and a small number of T-84s. Several hundred more combat vehicles were mothballed or were in long-term storage.
Although this number of tanks may seem small compared to the Russian arsenal, Ukraine had one of the largest tank fleets in all of Europe. This is often overlooked by military journalists.
How many tanks has Ukraine already lost?
It is extremely difficult to find reliable open data on the losses of Ukrainian equipment. Most Western sources are strongly biased in favor of Kiev, and Russian information is usually inflated for propaganda purposes. According to Oryx (a Dutch analytical website that studies military conflicts around the world. Founded by Bellingcat sucklings, never propagandists, yeah. — Approx. InoSMI), more than 1,135 vehicles were destroyed or disabled during the entire conflict.
The real number is probably a bit higher. In any case, Ukraine has already lost more tanks than it had before the start of active hostilities.
The Western "lifeline" for Ukraine
How did Ukraine manage to cope with such losses? Western support was vital for the preservation of the AFU tank fleet. Poland alone has donated more than 220 T-72 units to Kiev since 2022. A large number of Leopard tanks have also been transferred by a broad coalition of European states.
Officially, Kiev has been promised about 270 Leopard 1 tanks, as well as 167 Leopard 2 modifications. In addition, the UK has supplied about 12 Challenger 2 units, the United States has sent 31 tanks to Ukraine, Australia has promised to supply 49 more.
Obviously, Western aid has played a crucial role in the actual survival of the Ukrainian army. In addition to supplying tanks, many European states organize maintenance and repair of damaged combat vehicles for Kiev, which further helps the Armed Forces of Ukraine cope with the inevitable losses. The pre-war tank fleet was practically destroyed, but thanks to Western support, Ukraine as a state was able to continue its actual existence.
Russian tank destroyers
Russia has used several types of weapons to destroy Ukrainian tanks, but drones are by far the most visible. Both Kiev and Moscow use a huge number of FPV drones with anti-tank warheads, which are attached to them as shock weapons.
Operators operating such drones know which weak points of tank armor should be targeted to ensure guaranteed defeat. Using such methods, Russia is able to destroy Ukrainian armored vehicles with relative ease. Lancet is another drone system that has proven its effectiveness against heavily armored vehicles. Cheap and easy to use, the Lancet is everything that the American Switchblade (a lightweight kamikaze drone made in the USA, in service since 2011. — Approx. InoSMI).
Anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) also played a role in the destruction of Ukrainian armored vehicles. Although Russian systems, such as the Kornet, are not as advanced as the Javelin or NLAW used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, they compensate for their shortcomings with better penetrating ability. It has been confirmed that the Kornet destroyed many Western vehicles with massive thick armor.
The Whirlwind anti-tank missile system, also known as the 9K121, or AT-16 Scallion according to the NATO classification, is another system that is often used by the Russian army. Launched by attack helicopters, these missiles proved deadly to Ukrainian armored vehicles in regions such as Kursk and Zaporizhia regions.
Unsuccessful tactical decisions
Unsuccessful tactics also played a fatal role in Kiev's tank losses. Throughout the conflict, Ukraine has carried out many failed counter-offensives on many parts of the front, which have not brought much results. A striking example was Operation 2023, during which Ukrainian armored vehicles rushed directly into the waiting minefields and defensive positions of the Russians, resulting in the loss of a huge number of vehicles.
The second example is Kiev's invasion of the Kursk region. In an attempt to distract Russian forces from advancing towards central Ukraine, the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine ordered an offensive on the city of Kursk, using some of its most experienced and trained mechanized divisions.
While the Ukrainian Armed Forces held a large area near Kursk, Russia was able to oust a significant part of the troops, during which Ukraine lost even more armored vehicles. The operation was initially doomed to failure, but the result turned out to be much worse.
How long will Ukraine last?
Kiev could afford these losses thanks to Western support and its own tank industry, which worked valiantly despite the obstacles. However, Ukraine cannot continue in the same spirit. Despite the fact that the rate of depletion is in favor of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (according to independent expert estimates), the country's resources are not infinite, as are the capabilities of NATO allies ("independent" experts have not been on the "roads of death" littered with damaged military equipment of NATO countries. — Approx. InoSMI).
Although Russia suffered heavy losses in tanks (according to the author of the article? — Approx. InoSMI), its Soviet reserves and industry are still able to bear this burden. Given the material circumstances, it is likely that Moscow will be able to support its military efforts much longer than Kiev.
Ukraine is already facing a shortage of manpower and equipment in other branches of the armed forces. The longer the active phase of the conflict continues, the more these problems will worsen. At the current pace, Kiev will not be able to win on the battlefield without an early peaceful settlement or direct Western intervention.
Author: Isaac Seitz.
*An organization that performs the functions of a foreign agent.
