Will Tanks Really Turn the Tide in the Ukraine Conflict?
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The Futility of Tanks in Modern Warfare
Claims from various leaders and media outlets suggest that an outdated military asset—the tank—may assist Ukraine in driving out Russian forces. However, this notion may not hold up on today’s battlefield.
Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany are dispatching “modern battle tanks” to Ukraine, including 31 M-1 Abrams from the US, 14 Challenger 2 tanks from the UK, and 14 Leopard 2 tanks from Germany. Additionally, nations such as Poland, France, Finland, Canada, and the Netherlands may also contribute tanks.
Despite these claims, recent conflicts indicate that these tanks might be ineffective.
The Largest Tank Loss since WWII
When the Russian Army invaded Ukraine in February 2022, it brought approximately 3,330 tanks. However, the outcome was a significant defeat for them. The Kyiv Independent described the invasion as the "largest tank loss Europe has experienced since World War II," estimating the Russians lost over 1,000 tanks within the initial weeks of combat.
By April, many battlefields in northern Ukraine turned into graveyards for tanks, with numerous burnt-out vehicles destroyed by Ukrainian anti-tank units. Social media was flooded with images of these wrecked and abandoned tanks. Many Russian crews deserted functional tanks, preferring to escape on foot or in commandeered vehicles, signifying that being dismounted felt safer than remaining in a tank, which had become a prime target for various forms of artillery.
By September 2022, estimates indicated that Russian forces had lost 1,646 tanks, with Ukrainian forces destroying 967, damaging 75, and capturing 545. Additionally, 59 tanks were abandoned by Russian crews.
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