Moscow, August 05, 2024, The Europe Today: Russian forces have destroyed two more Western-supplied Leopard tanks in Ukraine, the Defense Ministry announced on Monday, releasing footage of the attacks.
In its report, the ministry detailed that the two Leopards were identified by reconnaissance in separate districts of the Kharkov Region. The tanks, which were reportedly camouflaged and engaged in firing on Russian positions, were targeted and destroyed.
The crew of a Russian Msta-S self-propelled howitzer employed a Krasnopol high-precision projectile to deliver a pinpoint strike on one of the tanks. Similarly, an operator of a Lancet loitering munition targeted the other tank. Aerial footage shared by the ministry confirmed the destruction of the two Leopards. The specific variants of the German-made Leopard tanks destroyed in the attack were not disclosed.
Ukraine has received dozens of Leopard tanks from several Western countries, including both Leopard 2A4 and older Leopard 1A5 models, though the latter have rarely been seen on the frontline. Leopard 2 tanks have been heavily utilized in the conflict, particularly during Kiev’s counteroffensive last year, which ended with significant casualties and minimal territorial gains for the Ukrainian side.
In January, Foreign Affairs magazine estimated that out of “fewer than 100 Leopard 2s in Ukrainian service,” at least 26 had already been knocked out, with many others sidelined due to “repair and maintenance issues.”
The destruction of Leopard tanks has been a recurring report from the Russian side, and it remains unclear how many of these vehicles are still operational in Ukraine’s inventory.
This latest incident underscores the ongoing and intense nature of the conflict in the region, as well as the continued attrition of Western-supplied military equipment on the battlefield.
