Relentless battle in Avdiivka: Russian forces face substantial losses amid Ukrainian resistance
According to analysts and war observers in Ukraine, since the offensive began on Avdiivka in early October 2023, Russian forces have lost more than 200 tanks. In contrast, Ukrainian brigades in defensive positions have performed significantly better, recording just under 20 tank losses. The British Ministry of Defence reported earlier this year that since the war's onset, roughly 2,600 tanks have been lost from Putin's army. Almost 10 percent of the total number of destroyed Russian tanks are attributed solely to the units engaged in Avdiivka.
This can be particularly distressing for Russians as the tanks relegated to Avdiivka weren’t the oldest or poorest quality, typically noted in other regions. Photographic evidence, videos, and accounts from Ukrainian soldiers propose that the T-72 and T-80 tanks were most commonly eradicated in Avdiivka. Additionally, a handful of T-90 family machines, considered as some of the best Russian tanks, have been destroyed.
Russian tanks destroyed near Avdiivka
The T-72 tanks, initially deployed in the early 1970s, are primarily armed with a 125 mm 2A46M calibre cannon. The crew is also equipped with two machine guns with a 7.62 mm caliber and a larger DShK or NSV machine gun of 12.7 mm caliber. Conversely, the T-80 tank is heralded as the most advanced mass-produced tank from the USSR, renowned for its gas turbine engine. Russians have produced numerous variants, the latest being the T-80BWM, featuring a 125 mm gun capable of discharging 9K112 Cobra and 9K119 Reflex anti-tank guided missiles.
A significant location within Ukraine's map
Avdiivka plays a strategic role in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Frequently referred to as the "gateway to Donetsk," commanding power over this region is vital to both military forces.
From the Estonian army's general staff, Colonel Tarmo Kundla informed the Ukrainian news portal Ukrainian Truth that the circumstances in Avdiivka are critical, but Ukrainian defenses remain strong. Partially, this is due to the fact that the attackers haven't been successful in blocking the supply routes used by the defenders.
Should the Russians ultimately seize Avdiivka, it would lead to numerous losses of BMP-2 armored personnel carriers, which are successfully destroyed by the Ukrainians, in part through M2 Bradley combat vehicles. They also managed to inflict significant damage on Russian aviation by destroying several Su‑25 aircraft towards the end of last year.
