Tank Warfare in Ukraine: Russian and Western Tanks Engage, Altering the Balance of Power"

"The tank is the supreme force on the battlefield, and both Russia and Ukraine have suffered substantial losses. Replacing these tanks comes at a hefty price tag, costing millions of dollars. So, what do these losses mean for the outcome of the war? And which country has the upper hand? I'm Sam Fellman, a defense editor at Business Insider and a US Navy veteran, and I'll be analyzing the balance of power. While tanks aren't the deciding factor, they play a crucial role in positional warfare and are a vital weapon for Ukraine in attempting to counter Russia's advances."

"The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is showcasing the latest generation of advanced fighting vehicles in action. The intense battles are providing valuable insights into modern tank warfare and countermeasures against various threats. Russia's military strategy relies heavily on its substantial tank forces to support ground troops, repel Ukrainian counterattacks, and safeguard supply lines. As one of the world's largest tank forces, Russia has been waging a relentless offensive. Moreover, Russia's political leadership has demonstrated a willingness to accept significant losses, including hundreds of tanks and tens of thousands of soldiers, in pursuit of battlefield victories. According to recent estimates, Russia has suffered substantial tank losses."

"According to open-source researchers at Oryx, Russia has suffered significant tank losses, with 1,800 destroyed, 530 captured, and 270 abandoned. Despite these losses, Russia has a substantial reserve of tanks to draw upon, including older and reserve tanks that can be made operational as the war continues. Russia is utilizing its vast arsenal, primarily comprising Cold War-era T-80 and T-72 Soviet-made tanks, which are available in large numbers. Additionally, Russia is also deploying more modern T-90 tanks and has even resorted to retrieving T-55 and T-54 tanks from deep storage to supplement its dwindling numbers and replace heavy losses. Notably, these older tanks were built in the post-World War II era."

"The T-55 and T-54 tanks, though still in use, are largely outdated and ineffective on modern battlefields. Notably, Russia has not deployed its cutting-edge T-14 Armata tank, which has received significant media attention, in any significant combat operations in Ukraine. The T-90M, however, is the most advanced tank Russia has deployed in Ukraine, boasting advanced features like thermal sights, computerized fire control, and jamming capabilities, as well as explosive reactive armor. With a price tag of approximately $4.5 million, it's a significant investment. Meanwhile, Ukraine has received donated tanks from Western allies, including the British-made Challenger 2, German-made Leopard, and American M1 Abrams, bolstering their military capabilities."

"These tanks are among the most modern and advanced in the world. The M1 Abrams, in particular, is a cutting-edge tank designed to take on and destroy Soviet- and Russian-made tanks. It's likely that Ukrainian forces wish they had more of these tanks at their disposal, as they could greatly benefit from their capabilities. As the main battle tank of the United States, the M1 Abrams boasts advanced features like computerized fire control software, depleted uranium rounds capable of penetrating enemy armor, and a design optimized for tank-on-tank battles. Its gas turbine engine provides immense power, allowing for high speeds. While the M1 Abrams is considered a top-tier tank, it still faces the same challenges that have hindered Russian and other Western-made tanks. One of the main drawbacks of the M1 Abrams is its high maintenance requirements. Despite this, tanks remain a formidable weapon, carrying immense firepower and playing a crucial role on the battlefield."

"The Ukrainian resistance has had a profound psychological impact on the defenders, debunking the myth that Russian tank forces are invincible. In reality, Russian tanks are more vulnerable than their Western counterparts, which prioritize crew protection and survivability. Western-made tanks are designed to withstand direct hits and can often be recovered and repaired, whereas Soviet-designed vehicles pose a significant risk to the crew. The likelihood of total loss and crew fatalities is much higher in Soviet-made tanks, such as the T-72, which has a critical design flaw. The 'jack-in-the-box effect' is a stark example of this, where the crew sits atop the ammunition storage, making a blast in this area potentially catastrophic."

"The explosion could potentially ignite the stored ammunition inside the tank, leading to a catastrophic chain reaction. The force of the blast would likely blow off the top turret, resulting in the loss of the crew and the tank itself. Tanks are designed for mobile warfare, but the conflict in Ukraine has devolved into a positional stalemate. When tanks attempt to advance, they're faced with a myriad of threats, including enemy airpower, mines, drones, artillery, and anti-tank missiles. These obstacles are hindering their ability to maneuver and concentrate firepower, which is their primary strength. Tanks excel at rapidly massing firepower by leveraging their speed and terrain-crossing capabilities, but these advantages are being neutralized in the current conflict."

"However, if tanks are unable to navigate terrain without losing their tracks or coming under prolonged attack, their battlefield effectiveness is significantly diminished. To fully comprehend the artillery threat, we must consider the treacherous battlefield environment that tanks are operating in. This is an extremely hazardous terrain for any tank. Let's examine the Russian prepared defenses that a Ukrainian tank might encounter. First, there's a densely laid minefield, potentially stretching kilometers deep, with hidden explosives. Next, anti-tank obstacles like upturned pyramids restrict a tank's movement. Vehicle ditches, akin to a moat, prevent tanks and armored vehicles from crossing without bridging equipment or filling in part of the ditch. Additionally, anti-tank missiles pose a formidable threat, making it even more challenging for tanks to operate effectively."

"The use of anti-tank guided missiles has become increasingly prevalent in Ukraine. These advanced systems are far more sophisticated than traditional rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), which require a firer to manually guide the weapon, often under dangerous conditions. Ukraine has employed various anti-tank guided missiles, including NLAWs, Javelin, and the domestically produced Stugna-P. In response to the widespread threat of drones, both sides are adapting their armored vehicles with protective measures. One such innovation is the "cope cage," a welded netting that encases the tank, making it harder for exploding drones to land a direct hit on the tank's shell. These cages, resembling mosquito nets, aim to keep the blast at a safe distance from the tank's hull, providing an added layer of protection."

"However, drone pilots are increasingly adept at circumventing these defenses and targeting vulnerable areas. As a result, Russia is likely to suffer significant tank losses in the future. The prolonged battle for Avdiivka, a strategic city, exemplifies the devastating losses Russia has incurred. The capture of Avdiivka came at a staggering cost: 350 tanks, 750 armored vehicles, and 46,000 troops killed or injured. Despite these losses, Russia appears determined to continue its efforts to seize Ukrainian territory, thereby exposing its tanks and armored vehicles to the various threats on the battlefield. It remains to be seen whether Russia can sustain such heavy losses indefinitely."

"Russia has the capacity to manufacture additional tanks and possesses a substantial reserve of tanks that can be deployed to offset its losses. According to experts at the International Institute of Strategic Studies, Russia can sustain its current rate of tank and armored vehicle losses for another two to three years. Despite this, Russia's sheer numerical superiority in tanks is allowing it to maintain a dominant position on the Ukrainian battlefields. Russia is employing a brute-force approach, which, although resulting in significant tank losses, enables it to continue pushing forward due to its vast tank reserves and ongoing production."

"Russia possesses a unique advantage in terms of sheer firepower, allowing it to mass its forces in a way that Ukraine cannot match. Despite Ukraine's possession of more advanced tanks, these vehicles still face the same threats as the older T-72 models used by both sides. This conflict does not favor the traditional strengths of tanks, but Russia is utilizing its tanks to attempt to seize territory through overwhelming force and firepower. Meanwhile, Ukraine relies heavily on tanks, artillery, and drones to counter Russia's ground forces and disrupt the momentum of their advancing tanks, which are crucial to Russia's forward movement."