British Challenger 2 tanks play a crucial role in the Ukrainian ambush
Ukrainians have provided the first evidence of the involvement of British Challenger 2 tanks in an operation conducted in the Kursk region. They revealed that these vehicles, known for their main features, were used in an ambush, resulting in the capture of more than 20 enemy soldiers.
The video footage was published by the 82nd Air Assault Brigade, one of the most elite units in the Ukrainian army. In the early days of the operation in the Kursk region, there were reports of its participation. However, until now, there has been no confirmation that Challenger 2 tanks were being used.
Challenger 2 in the Kursk region in Russia
Challenger 2 tanks are not frequently mentioned in frontline reports, making their appearance in the Kursk region in Russia even more surprising. It is known that the United Kingdom has supplied Ukraine with only 14 of these machines. According to the creators of the Oryx blog, which documents equipment losses incurred by the parties involved in the conflict in Ukraine, two Challenger 2 tanks have been destroyed by the Russians.
This third-generation British main battle tank is distinguished primarily by its Chobham/Dorchester multi-layer armour. When the Challenger 2 entered service in 1994, it had the reputation of being the most formidable tank in the world. It performed well in battles during the Second Gulf War. Before the war in Ukraine, no such tank had ever been destroyed in armed conflict.
Western equipment in the Ukrainian offensive
The Challenger 2 tank's main armament is the 120 mm L30A1 rifled gun. Additionally, the crew has access to two 7.62 mm machine guns. The engine has 1200 horsepower and allows for a maximum speed of about 56 km/h (35 mph). The Challenger 2 is over 12 metres (39 feet) long and weighs over 60 metric tonnes (66 tons).
According to a brief statement issued by the 82nd Air Assault Brigade, the Challenger 2 tanks and Stryker armoured personnel carriers participated in the ambush, resulting in the capture of more than 20 enemy soldiers, with many others eliminated.
The 82nd Air Assault Brigade also uses HMMWV multi-purpose vehicles and Stryker M1132 vehicles, specialised variants of the Stryker armoured personnel carrier, in the ongoing offensive in the Kursk region.
Other Ukrainian brigades operating in the area also have access to Western equipment. In the Kursk region, German infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) Marder and Polish Oncilla armoured personnel carriers have been observed, among others.
