Kiev withdraws US-made Abrams after tank loses to Russian drones: AP

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Associated Press
26 Apr 2024 16:20
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The Associated Press reports that Russian drones have so far managed to destroy five out of a total of 31 Abrams tanks supplied to Kiev by the United States.

US Army Abrams tanks of the 2nd Brigade 69th Regiment 2nd Battalion pictured at Mockava railway station in Lithuania, on September 5, 2020. (AFP)

Ukraine has pulled back the US-supplied Abrams M1A1 after the long-awaited battle tanks have been losing the battle against Russian drones on the frontline, AP reported on Friday citing two US officials.

Last year, Washington agreed in January to send Ukraine 31 Abrams tanks, costing $10 million each, claiming that this would change the situation on the battlefield as Ukraine was preparing for the spring counteroffensive.

However, with Russia's improved use of drones and its introduction of more advanced ones, it became difficult for the Ukrainian armed forces to protect the battle tanks from their attacks.

So far, according to the report, Russia has destroyed five tanks out of the 31 tanks. Ukraine had also received German-made Leopard 1 tanks from several European countries, but they also failed to change the course of the battle, and many have since been destroyed by Russian forces.

Deploying drones into the battle means “there isn’t open ground that you can just drive across without fear of detection,” a senior defense official told reporters Thursday.

'Massed armor can be at risk'

The United States will coordinate with Kiev to revise the ground tactics, Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Adm. Christopher Grady told the news agency last week in an interview.

“When you think about the way the fight has evolved, massed armor in an environment where unmanned aerial systems are ubiquitous can be at risk,” he added, noting that tanks are still significant in the war.

“Now, there is a way to do it,” Gary said. “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.”

Earlier this week, after months of bipartisan disputes over the matter, the United States passed a bill to fund Ukraine with $60.84 billion worth of military aid. Few days later, Reuters reported citing US officials that Washington is preparing a military aid package for Ukraine worth one billion dollars.

Counter-drone ammunitions will also be part of the $1 billion package, comprising of modified 50-caliber rounds that were modified to target drone systems.