Losses of Ukrainian armored vehicles in the Kursk region
Destruction of the Ukrainian tank T-72AV in the area of the settlement. Sverdlikovo. Photo by LostArmour.info
The Russian armed forces continue to destroy Ukrainian formations that invaded the Kursk region. Particular attention is paid to the fight against enemy armored vehicles. At the moment, approx. has been destroyed. 300 combat vehicles of different classes. The systematic destruction of armored vehicles reduces the potential of the invading group, and also negatively affects the capabilities of Ukraine as a whole.
Starting positions
The exact composition of forces and means involved by Ukraine in the breakthrough into the Kursk region remains unknown. In various sources one can find different estimates of the size and structure of the attacking formations. Also, using open data, you can roughly determine the composition of their fleet of equipment.
According to various sources, up to several brigades of incomplete strength took part in the attack. Some of these forces immediately invaded Russian territory, while the rest remained in the rear. It was planned to introduce them into battle as needed, as reinforcements.
As one can judge, such a group had several hundred armored combat vehicles of all classes and types. More precise information is not yet available. For the invasion, a sufficient number of tanks, various protected vehicles for infantry, engineering equipment, etc. were collected.
Two dozen types of vehicles in service with Ukraine were used. A significant part of this fleet - if not the main one - was made up of foreign samples received since 2022 as military assistance. This indicates the depletion of the equipment reserves that Ukraine inherited during the collapse of the USSR.
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Destruction of the Challenger 2 tank. Photo of the Russian Ministry of Defense
Destruction of the Challenger 2 tank. Photo of the Russian Ministry of Defense
Tanks were used as the main striking force when breaking through the border. The main types of Soviet-style vehicles, such as T-64, T-72 and T-80 of a number of modifications, were seen in Ukrainian units. Foreign MBTs were also used: German Leopard of both models and the British Challenger 2.
To move the infantry, the remaining Soviet-style equipment was used, such as BTR-60/80 armored personnel carriers and BMP-1/2 combat vehicles. They used Ukrainian BTR-4E, American Stryker, M113 and Bradley, French VAB, German Marder, etc.
A significant part of the infantry units were equipped with armored vehicles of local and foreign production. The Ukrainian Kozak and Varta, the British Husky TSV, the American Cougar, the Turkish Cobra, etc. were used.
The exact size of the Ukrainian forces and the amount of equipment in them remain unknown. However, there is reason to believe that this was one of the largest groups since the beginning of the Russian Special Operation. Only the association assembled for last year’s “counter-offensive” had a similar size.
Big losses
Ukrainian formations were able to take advantage of the effect of surprise, break through the border and enter Russian territory. However, these actions did not go unpunished.
Destroyed BTR-4E in the area of the village. Giryi. Photo Telegram / ZOG 2.0
The Russian army immediately began active operations in the breakthrough area and inflicted significant damage on the enemy group. Using all available forces and means, Russian troops destroy enemy manpower and equipment. Strikes are carried out both against the enemy on Russian territory and against his facilities and forces outside the country.
During a briefing on August 15, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the preliminary results of the current battles in the Kursk region. To date, more than 2600 enemy fighters have been destroyed, as well as 37 tanks, 32 armored personnel carriers, 23 infantry fighting vehicles and more than 200 units of other armored vehicles. Other targets at the forefront and at a distance are also destroyed.
Thus, the enemy lost about 300 armored vehicles. The bulk of the losses, approximately two-thirds, were made up of various armored vehicles. Tanks and armored personnel carriers account for only 10–12% of losses, and the share of destroyed infantry fighting vehicles is even smaller.
In the process of destruction
The Ministry of Defense, represented by various structures and divisions, as well as specialized resources, have been regularly publishing fresh photos and videos from the combat zone over the past few days. On them you can see the results of battles: destroyed enemy personnel and equipment. Some examples of equipment can be taken almost intact as trophies.
The enemy's armored vehicles are destroyed by all available means. The ground forces solve this problem with the help of artillery and anti-tank missile complexes. Unmanned aerial vehicles play a major role. aviation systems. Army aviation and its guided weapons also contribute to the overall results.
A burnt-out Ukrainian armored personnel carrier near the village. Giryi. Still from a report from Channel One
The Russian army does not lack strike weapons, and this determines the further course of hostilities. Our formations and units will continue to destroy the enemy in the occupied territories and in their rear. The defeat of enemy forces will be accompanied by advancement, right up to the state border.
As a result, enemy formations on our territory will be destroyed, and significant damage will be caused to the rear structures on which this entire adventure was based. Unfortunately, all these processes will be accompanied by damage or destruction of objects on our territory.
Causes and consequences
For what purpose Kyiv launched an attack on the Kursk region is unknown. However, the intermediate results of this “operation” are already obvious. The causes and consequences of the ongoing destruction are also clear.
It is easy to see that the enemy has assembled a real "zoo" of combat armored vehicles for the attack on the Kursk region. It includes available samples of almost 20 types - based on the available capabilities. Such a composition of the park excludes unification and carries certain risks.
The distribution of equipment by class also raises doubts. The group had a limited number of tanks, which reduced its strike capabilities. There also seemed to be a lack of fully-fledged protected transport for infantry, such as an armored personnel carrier or infantry fighting vehicle. Because of this, it was necessary to actively use armored vehicles, which have their own specifics and limitations.
Destroyed Ukrainian T-72 tanks in the area of the village. Sverdlikovo. Photo Telegram / “Turned by War”
Practice has shown that all armored vehicles involved in an attack are vulnerable to a wide range of Russian strike weapons. At the same time, armored cars, which became the basis of the group, turned out to be one of the easiest targets for strikes.
It seems that the enemy used the tactics of high-speed breakthroughs by small detachments in armored vehicles. The detachments on wheeled vehicles were supposed to move deeper into Russian territory and attack various targets, including civilian ones.
This tactic has a weak point - the limited cross-country ability of armored vehicles, which develop high performance characteristics only on roads. Linking to such communications seriously limits the capabilities of the attacking group, and also simplifies the preparation and retention of defense.
The Ukrainian command planned a breakthrough to the maximum depth of our defense with the capture and retention of territories. However, for long-term operations far from the border, a reliable supply system is required. The Russian army was able to almost completely cut off the enemy's supply lines and began to destroy its rear infrastructure. As a result, advanced formations experience supply difficulties and lose combat effectiveness.
Waiting for defeat
Thus, the Ukrainian armed forces put themselves in a difficult position. They prepared a large group for an attack on the Kursk region, but a number of objective factors did not allow them to obtain the desired combat capability and solve all the assigned tasks.
Destruction of the HIMARS MLRS, which supported Ukrainian formations, on August 15. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense
After several days of fighting, the situation in the Kursk region and the prospects for its development become clearer. Although the Ukrainian group initially had limited capabilities, it managed to partially realize its potential by capturing some territories. However, already during the offensive, the enemy encountered active opposition from the Russian army. Then our troops seized the initiative and began to destroy the forces that had broken through and their logistical support.
Ukrainian militants were unable to effectively resist the Russian army. Their destruction and displacement from Russian territory is now only a matter of time and expense.
It should be noted that current events will affect the course of further hostilities. It seems that equipment in preparation for the attack on the Kursk region had to be taken from various units in other directions and from the rear. Thus, Kyiv weakened certain units and deprived them of the ability to quickly recover.
The Russian army has already destroyed about 300 enemy armored vehicles, and this number continues to grow. The demilitarization of the hostile state is successfully moving forward, and its leadership, with its unreasonable actions, is even helping our army achieve its goals. Unfortunately, this has to be done on Russian territory, but at the cost of this, the solution to strategic national security problems will be ensured.
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