The Ukrainian military has reportedly pulled its US-supplied M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks from the battlefield due to increasing drone threats from Russia.
Two US military officials recently told The Associated Press that Russian drones have been making it difficult for the American tanks to operate without being detected and hit.
“There isn’t an open ground that you can just drive across without fear of detection,” one source said. “When you think about the way the fight has evolved, massed armor in an environment where [drones] are ubiquitous can be at risk,” another source added.
While the tanks are away from the frontlines, US and Ukrainian officials will reportedly discuss a change in tactics before getting the Abrams up and running again.
“We’ll work with our Ukrainian partners, and other partners on the ground, to help them think through how they might use that, in that kind of changed environment now, where everything is seen immediately,” the sources stated.
‘Not True’
On Saturday, a mechanized brigade combat team operating the tanks in Ukraine dismissed the report, saying the Abrams are doing a “great” job on the battlefield.
They added that the Ukrainian military will not hide weapons and equipment that “make enemies hide.”
Additionally, they told the Kyiv Independent that the American tanks are providing powerful fire support to infantry on the frontline, so they cannot be removed from the battlefield.
The mechanized brigade is urging the public to beware of war information circulating on social media and trust only verified sources.
Abrams in Ukraine
In September 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the first batch of M1A1 Abrams tanks had arrived in the country.
Though he did not say how many were provided, it was reported earlier that the US promised to send 31 of the third-generation main battle tanks.
The armored vehicle was expected to strengthen Ukraine’s frontlines with its 120-millimeter smoothbore cannon and M240 coaxial machine gun.
Out of the 31 Abrams delivered to Kyiv, at least five have succumbed to Russian attacks.