DONBAS: Russian Tanks Face Gauntlet of Death from Javelin Wielding Ukrainians

Ukrainian forces have used U.S.-supplied Javelin missiles to devastating effect against Russian armored vehicles, according to Maya Carlin of The National Interest. Nicknamed “Saint Javelin,” the weapon has become a symbol of resistance and a key tool in Ukraine’s defense. Last month, a Javelin team from the 36th Marine Brigade reportedly destroyed three Russian tanks and four fighting vehicles in Kursk—highlighting the system’s ongoing impact as Russia’s armored losses mount.

The weapon’s proven effectiveness in Ukraine has drawn international attention. Reuters reports that Bulgaria’s parliament has approved a $82.7 million deal to purchase Javelin anti-tank missiles from the United States, which is part of an effort to modernize its military and strengthen national defense. The move follows a U.S. State Department approval in September for a potential $114 million sale, underscoring growing interest in the Javelin system among NATO allies. They write:

Bulgaria’s parliament on Wednesday approved an $82.7 million purchase of Javelin anti-tank guided missiles from the United States to modernise the country’s army and protect its territorial integrity, BTA news agency reported.

In September, the U.S. State Department approved the possible sale of Javelin FGM-148F missiles and related equipment to Bulgaria for $114 million.

The purchase will provide the missiles necessary for the Stryker fighting vehicles that Bulgaria had agreed to obtain from the U.S. for $1.5 billion in 2023, lawmakers said. […]

It also plans to boost arms production as the EU aims to increase defence funding for member states.

UPDATE 3.24.23: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has now lasted more than a year, and since major successes by Ukraine in the fall, the battle lines have hardened along the front. According to Oryx as of March 24, 2023, 1,871 Russian tanks have been confirmed destroyed, damaged, abandoned, or captured during the war. According to the official numbers reported by Ukraine’s Armed Forces, 3,574 Russian tanks have been lost.

These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of March 24, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/UwvKwFmTqe

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) March 24, 2023

UPDATE 9.14.22: As of today, Oryx has recorded 1,104 tanks as destroyed, damaged, abandoned, or captured. The war in Ukraine appears to be entering a new phase as the Ukrainians have just broken through Russian lines in Kharkiv Oblast, and retaken nearly the entire territory. Charles Lipson of SpectatorWorld called the victory a product of “shrewd tactics, courageous fighters, superior intelligence, and precision weapons.” Read more about that here.

Originally posted April 21, 2022.

Oryx, a popular site documenting wartime equipment losses in Ukraine, counts 531 Russian tanks that have been destroyed, damaged, abandoned by the Russians, or captured so far by Ukrainian forces, along with 312 armored fighting vehicles, 561 infantry fighting vehicles, 101 armored personnel carriers, 24 MRAPs, 95 infantry mobility vehicles, and various other pieces of heavy equipment.