Brandon J. Weichert of The National Interest reports that thanks to the NATO-supplied Javelin anti-tank missiles, drones, and mines, Russia has had significant tank losses, with estimates ranging from 3,000 to 8,000 tanks destroyed or captured. Wiechert writes:
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in significant tank losses, with estimates ranging from 3,000 to 8,000 tanks destroyed or captured. Early in the conflict, Ukrainian forces effectively used NATO-supplied Javelin anti-tank missiles, drones, and mines to repel Russian armored assaults.
While these losses are substantial, Russia has adapted by shifting tactics, integrating tanks in supporting roles alongside infantry, artillery, and drones. The Russian military now relies more on older T-72 tanks, which continue to be effective. […]
Since the Russians consider the Ukraine War to be an existential one, Moscow has committed itself to a national struggle. In other words, all resources and people were made available for the war effort until Russian forces achieved victory. With that in mind, it’s important to understand the staggering number of losses in the Ukraine War. […]
While the Javelins were effective at the outset of the war, the drones have proven to be an enduring threat to Russian MBT formations, which are far more numerous than what the Ukrainians should be able to withstand. But the drones have been a decisive advantage to the Ukrainians and a relatively cheap system that punches well above its weight, considering the kind of MBTs it has destroyed. What’s more, the drones are very difficult to detect and track until they are upon the targeted tank. […]
Frankly, the Russians can sustain the heavy losses at the front in ways the Ukrainians cannot, even with Kyiv utilizing these innovative and unconventional tactics.
It’s easy to point out the massive number of Russian MBTs lost. The numbering is staggering…to a Westerner. These numbers are not, however, all that serious in the context of Russia’s long history of warfare against its neighbors. That’s something that should never be forgotten. Russia is losing a lot of its forces in combat. They’re still winning, though.
Read more here.
