Ukraine has lost its first Challenger 2 tank

One of the 82nd Air Assault Brigade’s ex-British Challengers 2 in flames on a roadside outside Robotyne, in southern Ukraine

It seems the Ukrainian armed forces have lost their first Challenger 2 tank, Forbs informs.

A video that circulated online on Monday depicts what appears to be one of the 82nd Air Assault Brigade’s ex-British Challengers 2 in flames on a roadside outside Robotyne, in southern Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

The apparent first loss of a 69-ton, four-person Challenger 2, out of 14 that the United Kingdom pledged to the Ukrainian war effort back in January, comes just days after the Ukrainian defense ministry highlighted the tank in an interview.

According to the 82nd Brigade tanker, the Ukrainians prefer to use their 14 — now 13 — Challenger 2s as long-range fire-support, fully taking advantage of their excellent day-night optics, precise fire-controls and powerful main guns firing tungsten penetrators two miles out or farther. “It’s a machine designed to operate at a long distance.”

It’s apparent the Russians caught that Challenger 2 on the road, far from any concealment. If the Challenger 2 loss is at all similar to previous losses of German-made Leopard 2 tanks in Ukrainian service, it’s possible the ex-British tank struck a mine or got immobilized by artillery—and then explosives-laden drones zeroed in to finish it off.

Yes, Ukraine is losing tanks, including some of its best tanks, writes Forbs.

Three months into Ukraine’s counteroffensive the Ukrainians have lost just seven of their 105 Western-made tanks: six of 71 Leopard 2s and one of 14 Challenger 2s.

The head of the British Ministry of Defense confirmed the destruction of the Challenger 2 tank in the NWO zone, said that London has no plans to “send a new tank to replace the destroyed one.”

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