Russian-state media outlets shared a video on Monday of Moscow drones destroying an American-made Abrams tank, the second within a week, near the front lines in Ukraine.
According to a report from Kremlin-owned outlet TASS, the tank was destroyed near the village of Avdiivka in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine. The U.S. has provided Kyiv with over two dozen Abrams battle tanks since the start of the war in February 2022.
The Russian Defense Ministry has also claimed to have taken out over 490 Ukrainian troops and four infantry fighting vehicles, including three U.S.-made Bradleys, over the past 24 hours, reported TASS. Moscow claimed on Tuesday that it destroyed its first Abrams tank just days after Russia took control of Avdiivka.
A drone video of the battle tank’s destruction was shared to Telegram by Russia-backed media outlet RIA Novosti. According to reports, members of Russia’s Army Group Center struck the Abrams tank using two first-person-view unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Russia also claimed to have destroyed three armored combat vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, a second armored tank and 91 Ukrainian drones over the past day. Moscow’s Defense Ministry reported on Monday that it has taken out over 15,300 of Ukraine’s tanks and other armored vehicles since the start of the war.
Newsweek was unable to independently verify Russia’s claims. An email was sent to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense for comment on Monday.
Footage circulated online Sunday of a U.S. M1 Abrams engulfed in smoke near Avdiivka. Russian-state media also claimed that Moscow’s forces had struck three of the U.S.-made tanks in Ukraine over the past week, including the one that was reportedly destroyed with a first-person-view drone on February 26. The Kremlin has not specified what damage was sustained to the third tank that was targeted.
CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images
Ukrainian troops were forced to retreated from Avdiivka in February following months of an aggressive Russian offensive for control of the village. According to an assessment from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Moscow’s forces have continued to advance northeast of Avdiivka in recent weeks.
The fight for Avdiivka cost the Kremlin a high number of troops and equipment. According to Ukraine’s estimate, Russia’s forces lost over 47,000 soldiers, 360 tanks, 248 artillery systems and five jets during the roughly four-month battle. Ukraine’s army chief Colonel General Oleksandr Syrsky said after troops withdrew from the village that it was necessary to retreat to “avoid encirclement” and save the lives of Kyiv’s soldiers.
The British Ministry of Defense said on Sunday that Russia has lost over 355,000 personnel since launching its invasion of Ukraine, and averaged about 983 casualties per day in February.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.