Russian forces capture another American Abrams tank in Ukraine
Russian armed forces have reportedly captured another American M1A1 Abrams tank used by Ukrainian troops. Analysts from the Bulgarian Military portal note that the machines provided by the USA are being lost on the front at an alarming rate.
The latest Abrams tank, which fell into Russian hands, was reportedly taken out of combat on 14 September 2024. In the photo published online, it can be seen that the vehicle was equipped with additional armour – Soviet reactive armour Kontakt-1. Despite these enhancements by the Ukrainians, the tank was completely immobilised.
In Ukraine, the myth of the indestructible Abrams tanks is falling
It is noteworthy that the destroyed M1A1 Abrams is the third tank of this type destroyed in less than seven days, as reported by Bulgarian Military. Ukrainian forces are losing Abrams tanks at an alarming rate, which mirrors a trend seen between February and mid-April 2024 when losses surged.
The Ukrainian armed forces quickly decided to withdraw Abrams tanks from the front to implement improvements related to armour. This decision was due to the increased losses reported just three days after the vehicles were sent into battle.
According to Bulgarian Military, of the 31 tanks delivered to Ukraine, it is believed that more than 20 have been destroyed, damaged, or captured. Most of the losses are reportedly due to artillery strikes or kamikaze drones.
Previously, Ukrainian soldiers expressed dissatisfaction with the tanks, noting issues with internal condensation, which negatively affects critical tank systems, including fire control and communication. They also highlighted the significant dimensions of the Abrams tanks. Compared to Soviet-made tanks like the T-80, American tanks are larger, making them easier targets, particularly considering the widespread use of kamikaze drones in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Abrams tanks
The M1A1 Abrams tanks used by Ukrainian armed forces boast impressive technical specifications. Each tank has a 120 mm M256 smoothbore cannon powered by a Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine. The vehicle's length reaches nearly 33 feet, its width is about 12 feet, and its height does not exceed 8 feet. The Abrams has a range of over 280 miles on a full tank. On roads, these tanks can travel up to 45 mph, while in more challenging terrain, they reach up to 31 mph.
