Third of US-sent Bradleys sent to Kiev are destroyed: Analyst

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Jul 2023 21:03

Oryx analysts confirm that 34 Bradleys have been confirmed to be destroyed or damaged.

Destroyed Ukrainian US-made M2A2 ODS Bradley and Leopard 2 tanks somewhere on the Zaporozhye front published by Russian soldiers on social media, July 2023 (Telegram)

According to the Dutch open-source defense analysis portal, one-third of the Bradley infantry fighting vehicles supplied by the United States to Ukraine may have already been destroyed or abandoned, Sputnik reported.

According to the portal, the Pentagon has delivered around 109 Bradley fighting vehicles to the Ukrainian military.

So far, 34 Bradleys have been confirmed to be destroyed or damaged, Oryx analysts confirmed.

The portal also revealed, citing the Ukrainian army, that eight German-made Leopard 2 tanks have been destroyed.

Around 20% of the weapons sent to the frontlines during Ukraine's counteroffensive have been damaged or completely destroyed, according to a report by The New York Times.

In just the first two weeks of fighting, the losses encompassed Western-made tanks, armored personnel carriers, and other heavy military equipment and vehicles.

Earlier this week, President Putin that Western missiles and tanks have caused damage to Russian assets; however, the hopes placed upon them to pivot the balance of power toward NATO-backed Ukraine did not materialize. He focused on long-range cruise missiles provided by Western powers to Kiev which were expected to expand the scope of engagement, but Russian air defenses and intelligence have proved their exceptional capabilities in deterring the threat.

Putin revealed that since June 4, 311 Ukrainian weapons, systems, and vehicles have been destroyed, adding that at least one-third of these weapons come from Western arsenals.

"I can tell you that Ukrainian servicemen often refuse to even get into these tanks because they are a priority target for our guys," Putin underlined, adding that foreign tanks "burn better" than the Soviet-made ones.