The Russian military has reportedly captured another U.S.-supplied M1A1 Abrams tank used by Ukrainian forces.
Only 11 Left
According to analysts at Bulgarian Military and WP, these American tanks are being lost on the battlefield at an alarming rate.
The most recent Abrams, immobilized in combat on September 14, 2024, had additional reactive armor, yet was still destroyed and captured by Russian forces.
This marks the third Abrams tank to be lost in just under a week. Ukrainian forces have seen a significant uptick in losses since receiving the tanks, with many being damaged or captured in recent months.
Reports indicate that more than 20 of the 31 Abrams tanks provided by the U.S. have been destroyed, damaged, or seized.
Easier Targets
Ukrainian military officials have withdrawn the remaining Abrams from the front lines for further armor upgrades, after suffering heavy losses between February and mid-April 2024. These tanks have proven vulnerable to artillery strikes and kamikaze drones, which have caused significant damage.
Ukrainian soldiers have also expressed frustration with the Abrams tanks, citing issues such as condensation inside the vehicles, which interferes with critical systems like fire control and communication.
Additionally, the large size of the Abrams, compared to Soviet-era tanks like the T-80, makes them easier targets for enemy forces.
The Abrams tanks are technically advanced, featuring a 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun and a powerful Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine engine. Despite these impressive specs, their performance in Ukraine has been met with increasing challenges on the battlefield.
