Latest footage has surfaced exhibiting a Russian FPV drone destroying a British Challenger 2 tank, debunking the British claims of its invincibility. The Challenger 2, supplied to Ukraine by the UK, was taken out by the drone within the Kursk area, the place intense preventing has been ongoing. This marks one other blow to the repute of the British tank within the battle.
Russian analysts recommend that the very presence of Ukrainian forces, notably contemporary NATO reserves, within the Kursk space underscores the enemy’s dedication to carry onto positions in Russian-controlled territory. “The enemy has thrown in reinforcements and NATO armor, placing up fierce resistance,” studies the Russian outlet Svobodnaya Pressa.
Rumors amongst Ukrainian troops point out they’re holding out till January 20, anticipating the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, with some hoping that his return to workplace may deliver new methods and assist for Ukraine. “The expectation is that the new-old U.S. president will be certain that the Ukrainian Armed Forces can struggle even on ‘imperial’ soil, happening in historical past as the primary navy to efficiently infiltrate a nuclear superpower,” says the report.
That is the second Challenger 2 tank to be destroyed within the Kursk space, and the third general for the reason that UK delivered a complete of 14 models to Ukraine. Earlier, one other Challenger 2 was destroyed on the Ukrainian entrance, the place it was left deserted on the battlefield after being burned past recognition. The injury was so extreme that it couldn’t be transported to Pink Sq. in Moscow, the place Russia showcases captured Western navy gear.
It stays unclear whether or not Ukraine has despatched extra Challenger 2 tanks to the Kursk area. Nonetheless, with winter approaching and the soil changing into wetter and softer, the British tanks’ mobility issues are anticipated to worsen. In the beginning of this 12 months, The Solar reported that the Challenger 2 usually turns into motionless in Ukraine’s fertile black soil. This example continues to plague the heavy armor.
A British reporter, embedded with Ukrainian forces, vividly captured the problems confronted by these tanks within the Ukrainian terrain. In a single report, he describes the sight of the huge Challenger 2 slowed down in wealthy, darkish soil, its tracks struggling to keep up traction. Because the tank makes an attempt to climb a slope, the engine pushes for extra energy to maintain transferring, however the added pressure is an excessive amount of for the machine, with the tank’s treads already gripping the smooth earth too tightly.
“The largest downside for the Challenger 2 in Ukraine is getting caught within the mud,” the reporter explains. The soil consists of deep, smooth patches of fertile black earth, which continues to impede the tank’s motion. The state of affairs grows extra dire because the tank sinks deeper into the mud, with rising water ranges threatening to submerge the chassis. The crew can solely hope that the tank doesn’t turn into so entrenched that restoration could be unimaginable.
The Challenger 2, delivered as a part of Western navy support to Ukraine, is provided with superior weaponry and armor, providing important firepower. Nevertheless, operational challenges have emerged on the Ukrainian battlefield. In accordance with the UK Ministry of Defence, the supply of those tanks has been accomplished.
The tank boasts a 120mm L30A1 rifled gun, which units it other than most NATO tanks that sometimes use smoothbore weapons. The L30A1 is famend for its precision and vary, with Ukrainian operators calling it a “sniper gun” due to its spectacular means to hit targets as much as 4.5 km away. This offers the Challenger 2 an edge in long-range engagements, making it efficient towards armored threats. Nevertheless, its effectiveness nonetheless is determined by the standard of fireplace management techniques and battlefield circumstances.
Its armor is one other key function, using Chobham composite armor, which affords sturdy safety towards most typical munitions. Regardless of its sturdiness, the tank’s 64-ton weight—similar to the most recent variations of the Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams—compromises its mobility. This turns into problematic within the regularly muddy and uneven terrain of Ukraine, the place the Challenger 2 has had difficulties maneuvering and has turn into caught in softer soils.
By way of armament, the Challenger 2 can also be outfitted with a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and a close-range defensive weapon, but it surely lacks ammunition appropriate for preventing infantry. This limits its effectiveness in engagements towards foot troopers, making the tank primarily fitted to fight towards different tanks and armored automobiles, whereas infantry requires specialised artillery or different assist models.
Regardless of demonstrating spectacular efficiency in sure battle conditions, the operational readiness of the Challenger 2 in Ukraine has been hindered by logistical and mechanical points. The sluggish supply of spare components and the frequent mechanical failures have decreased the variety of tanks in energetic service. By mid-2024, solely half of the delivered Challenger 2 tanks had been operational.
In conclusion, the Challenger 2 is a strong navy asset with distinctive firepower and safety. Nevertheless, its operational challenges—resembling restricted mobility and an absence of infantry preventing capabilities—make it much less versatile within the context of the continued battle in Ukraine.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
On February 21, 2022, Russia acknowledged that its border facility was attacked by Ukrainian forces, ensuing within the deaths of 5 Ukrainian fighters. Nevertheless, Ukraine shortly dismissed these allegations, labeling them as ‘false flags’.
In a notable transfer on the identical day, Russia introduced it formally acknowledged the self-proclaimed areas of DPR and LPR. Apparently, based on Russian President Putin, this recognition coated all of the Ukrainian areas. Following this declaration, Putin despatched a battalion of Russia’s navy forces, tanks included, into these areas.
Quick ahead to February 24, 2022, world headlines had been dominated by a important incident. Putin commanded a forceful navy assault on Ukraine. Led by Russia’s spectacular Armed Forces positioned on the Ukrainian border, this assault wasn’t spontaneous however a premeditated motion. Regardless of the circumstances resembling a conflict, the Russian authorities refrains from utilizing this time period. They’d quite discuss with it as a “particular navy operation”.
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