M2A2 Bradleys IFVs, Leopard 2 tanks destroyed in Zaporozhye front
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At least 2 of the Leopards featured in the footage were of the most modern variant, namely the Leopard 2A6.
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Screengrab from a Russian forces drone footage featuring destroying NATO-supplied German madeLeopard 2A6 and US made 4 M2A2 Bradley IFV (Telegram: VOIN_DV)
Similar to German equipment, US equipment does not seem to be all that reliable for Ukraine, with Russian bombardment taking down Bradley heavy infantry fighting vehicles less than a month after striking the renowned Patriot missile system donated to Ukraine.
Losses from the recent Ukrainian offensive in Zaporozhye, this is a serious loss in armor for absolutely no gain. All of that western trained manpower and material just gone. pic.twitter.com/5FC9GfYNEh
— ayden (@squatsons) June 9, 2023
It is reported that the attacks were carried out using Kornet ATGMs and KA-52 helicopters, both equipped with thermal imaging devices, as well as pre-laid anti-tank mines and artillery fire guided by the usage of drones to correct shots.
Ka 52 strike Ukranian convoy at Orehova pic.twitter.com/E1PyYrfeqV
— ZOKA (@200_zoka) June 9, 2023
Up to 7 M2A2 Bradley heavy infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and 4 Leopard-2 tanks were destroyed, damaged, or abandoned during a failed Ukrainian attack on the Zaporozhye front as Kiev's forces suffer serious blows on the frontline. Multiple other vehicles including a mine sweeper suffered the same fate.
At least 2 of the Leopards featured in the footage were of the most modern variant, namely the Leopard 2A6.
Leopard getting racked by a Kornet ATGM. pic.twitter.com/YRVqBfUSjT
— ayden (@squatsons) June 9, 2023
The footage seems to coincide with previously reported lower-quality photos and videos that were released yesterday and featured some of the destroyed equipment dating back to June 7, showcased in higher-quality videos released today.
All the same, German and US equipment are proving to not be long-lasting for Ukraine. Ukraine only has two Patriot air defense systems on its soil, one provided by the US and the other given jointly by Germany and the Netherlands. Just one of these two being out of service would greatly hinder Kiev's ability to defend itself as Russia takes the missile attack route in the war.
âš¡Pictures of war
— chris__759 (@chris__759) June 9, 2023
Destruction of Leopards, Bradley's and many other #Ukrainian🇺🇦 equipment at the #Zaporizhzhia frontline.🔥 pic.twitter.com/Cb4BP9eP6e
The Patriot systems and Ukrainian forces completed training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and were then transported to Ukraine, the report said, citing a senior US Defense Department official.
Some 65 Ukrainian soldiers were undergoing training on how to operate the Patriot system. The soldiers, as reported by the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff General, Mark Milley, recently completed their training on the Patriot air defense system.
An IRIS-T surface-to-air missile system radar was destroyed in the Zaporozhye direction after they were hit by Russian fire.
The damage was dealt to the German equipment with loitering munitions, which led them to eliminate a radar station of an IRIS-T air defense system.
The incident took place on the Orekhovsky sector of the Zaporozhye front.
The United States first sent the IFVs to Ukraine earlier in the year. The Pentagon announced in early January a military assistance package for Ukraine worth $3.75 billion includes 50 Bradley fighting vehicles, 500 TOW anti-tank missiles, and 250,000 rounds of 22mm ammunition.
Meanwhile, the German Leopard tanks were also handed to Kiev early on in the year. Though they were only seen Thursday.
Russian sources said drone footage taken during the Ukrainian offensive near the city of Orikhiv in the Zaporozhye region appears to show at least two German-made Leopard 2 tanks as well as several armored personnel carriers, including American M113s, that are under fire from Russian artillery.
Numerous pieces of equipment appeared to have been destroyed.
Germany pledged in May to send Kiev some $3 billion worth of military aid, with German media saying it was Berlin's greatest military support package to Kiev.
Berlin was reported to have intended to supply Ukraine with 20 Marder infantry combat vehicles, 30 Leopard 1 tanks, up to 200 reconnaissance drones, Gepard anti-aircraft vehicles, extra IRIS-T anti-aircraft missiles, artillery rounds, and transporters.
This is going on amid fierce fighting in Zaporozhye, with the chairman of the We Are Together with Russia movement, Vladimir Rogov, the Ukrainian military sustained huge casualties in its attempted night attacks in the Zaporozhye area towards Tokmak.
"They have sustained huge casualties on minefields, from air and artillery strikes and they simply show disregard for losses and throw troops into action wave after wave," he said.
Moreover, the Ukrainian offensive was preceded by artillery strikes.
