Why is Putin anxious about the United States deploying tanks to Ukraine?

Putin is plainly anxious about the United States deploying tanks to Ukraine, and with cause! If the US sends tanks, it might lead to a full-fledged invasion of Russia. In this narrative, we examine Putin's reaction and why he is so frightened about the United States supplying arms to Ukraine. 🚨😰😰🚨

Vladimir Putin, the head of Russia, is swaying in his sleep. He is having a dream right now about US-made M1A2 Abrams tanks churning up the ground while screaming Russian soldiers are crushed beneath their tracks. The direction of the Russia-Ukraine border is where all of these tanks are moving. Since some of the best tanks in the world are being sent to Ukraine and have the words "Made in the USA" embossed somewhere on their frames, Mr. Putin's nightmare—or should we say dream—might soon come true. The game just underwent a significant change. Around the time we began the storyline for this narrative, US news reports claimed that in retaliation for Joe Biden's declaration that US tanks would eventually be on Ukrainian soil, Putin launched a number of missile and drone attacks against Ukraine.

Putin may have been furious, which is why, according to the press, his forces bombed Kyiv, the country's capital, and again caused havoc when Ukraine's energy infrastructure was struck. After Germany also announced that it would be sending some of its own tanks to Ukraine—a relatively short trip—Putin claimed that tensions between Ukraine and the West are once again rising. Asserting that this conflict has been a proxy war between Russia and a US-NATO alliance, Russian officials appear to feel vindicated. Following the news of the US tanks, former Russian President and deputy chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev issued a stern statement, saying, "The defeat of a nuclear power in a conventional war can spark a nuclear war." Putin is aware that Germany's Leopard 2s and the US's powerful M1 Abrams pose a threat to Russia's ability to wage war.

Putin may not, however, be alarmed by the tanks per se; rather, he may be having nightmares due to the shift in Western attitudes toward the conflict. In this narrative, we'll examine both possibilities, so let's first establish the facts. According to Russia, the West has just raised the stakes. This is fighting talk, as the saying goes. Sergei Nechaev, the Russian ambassador to Germany, recently asserted that sending modern western tanks to Ukraine from Germany is extremely risky and could lead to a new level of conflict. Putin is obviously well aware that Ukraine has up until this point relied on vintage tanks, many of which are T-72s from the Soviet Union era.

Ukraine has repeatedly stated that this is unacceptable if the West truly wants to assist. To repel and defeat the invaders, modern tanks are required, not antique ones. Although Ukraine stated that it would like 100 of these cutting-edge tanks, it's possible that this is just wishful thinking. As you'll see in a moment, no one can just start using such potent equipment the moment it arrives. Modern tanks are challenging. It's not like riding a bike. Particularly with regard to US tanks, Ukrainian soldiers will require training. Germany announced that it would send 14 Leopard 2 tanks, or at least the most recent models, which frequently appear on lists of the world's best vehicles. Tank enthusiasts, who do exist, may disagree about which tanks are the best, but there's no denying that Germany's Leopard 2s rank among the best.

They have a cruising range of roughly 280 miles (450 km), are quick, and can reach speeds of about 44 mph (72 km/h). We won't dwell too much on these tanks' armor and firepower. It's mostly meaningless because any tanks that Russia can currently field are vastly outclassed by the Leopard and the Abram. Approximately 2,000 Leopard 2s made in Germany are currently deployed in a number of European nations, though it is unclear how many of those are combat-ready. Germany has stated that it hopes other tank-buying nations will follow its example and send their Leopard 2s to Ukraine. It has already been mentioned that Spain and the Netherlands may do that.

The Netherlands informed us early on in the storyline of this narrative that a decision had not yet been made. I'll soon explain the reason for the uncertainty. It would be difficult to surpass the US M1A2 Abrams, despite Russia having its excellent late-iteration T-90s and the beast, the T-14 Armata, which is arguably among the top three tanks in the world if Russian claims regarding mobility, firepower, armor, and, crucially, high-tech systems are true. In terms of this war and what the US is sending to Ukraine, Biden said he would send over 31 of them, or an entire tank battalion, valued at around $400 million. This is a drop in the ocean, though. When you consider that Ukraine already has 1,890 tanks, 31 might not seem like much, but only 1,323 of those are reportedly battle-ready, and as we've said, these are tanks that may have last been in use around the time Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon.

Recent Ukrainian combatants in an armored unit near Bakhmut complained that the tanks they were using should have been retired before the majority of the commanders were even born. When their T-72s break down, they frequently search the scrapyards for replacement parts, or they rip apart captured Russian tanks to create Frankenstein machines. Russia has lost a ton of tanks, as you may know from our other narratives, according to Tankenstein. Additionally, its tank crews were forced to make do with items from the 1970s, occasionally forging their own armor because the armor they were supposed to have was simply absent. 2,300 of Russia's next-generation Armata T-14s were supposed to be produced, but it appears that production problems have arisen recently.

A small number have been constructed so far. The T-14s that Russia does possess were recently stationed in Ukraine, according to Kremlin-backed news outlets in Russia speaking in December 2022. The traditional T-72s have no chance against these T-14s in a face-off. They are completely distinct animals. Fortunately, it is unlikely that Russia's allegations are accurate, and even if they were, there are probably fewer than 12 of these tanks in the nation. The T-14s' mobility, protection, communications, and firepower are all more advanced, and they are equipped with sensors and other cutting-edge technology that was unimaginable in the 1970s and 1980s. If you believe Russia, the T-72 and T-14 are entirely different weapons, given their vastly enhanced situational awareness, armor, purported stealth abilities, and pinpoint accuracy of their anti-tank missiles and main cannon.

Of course, this is assuming you believe in Russia. The Ukrainian army needs Western tanks NOW, not tomorrow, according to a recent statement made by a deputy commander in the country. He told the media, "The leopard is what we need right now." "The high-precision sights and night vision work in any weather." The Russians' fear of the leopard, he continued, is just one more factor. They are justified in being so. The Ukrainians are confident they can maintain and supply the German tanks, even though this does not mean they are any better than the Abrams. Because, let's not forget, these are European tanks, and parts are constantly available. "The main thing is that I know how to get everything running again," said one of the Ukrainian army mechanics to the media, adding that he could handle the Leopards with ease.

Additionally, you should be aware that the engines are different from those in the Abrams. That is why the US initially stated that it would not send them. They are simply too difficult to maintain and repair. Others have correctly noted the necessity of setting up a logistical support infrastructure for the tanks in Ukraine before any modern tanks enter combat. It's an understatement to say that this won't be simple. Despite numerous updates over the years, the Leopard 2 has been in service since 1979. Although its weapons systems aren't all that different from those of the Abrams, the latter's technology is vastly superior, and its armor systems are also quite advanced. Send the Leopards over right away so we can use them, and we'll wait for the Abrams while you do. As we've previously stated, operating a tank is very different from operating a bicycle, particularly with regard to modern tanks.

Because of this, Ukrainian crews will need to be competent even when those American tanks arrive. Not everyone is certain that this will be a piece of cake. The Leopard 2 is much simpler to master than many of the most sophisticated tanks in the world, according to some analysts, which is good news. By using the Leopard 2 as a stepping stone, Ukrainian soldiers won't have to make the difficult transition from Cold War-era technology to the advanced features of the Abrams. According to a former US national security adviser, Russia is in serious trouble as soon as those Ukrainians are able to use the Abrams. He told the media, "If the crew knows what its doing, is well trained, does the preps and the fire checks, and maintains that tank well, you just can't miss, and everything you hit is catastrophically destroyed."

You only need to look at the Iraq War to see the harm that the British Challengers, German Leopards, and American Abrams caused. They have had a significant impact on Ukraine. A FV4034 Challenger in Iraq killed a target at a distance of over 3,100 meters over 17 miles. At the time, it was the furthest tank-to-tank kill ever. If these tanks really do perform that poorly, Putin will have nightmares about this. The British and American tanks were constantly outmaneuvering and outgunning the Iraqi tank crews in T-72s. The Abrams won't likely be used for several more months due to the trip to Europe and the necessary training, but the Leopards should start getting mud in their tracks much sooner, which is why Ukraine is talking so much about them.

Although some U.S. officials have also noted that the Leopards make a lot more sense, it appears that the US is sending those Abrams regardless of what the critics think. Fighting has been difficult recently for Ukraine, and it doesn't appear that much more progress will be made if it doesn't receive those tanks. This winter, the Russian army dug in, making it difficult for the Ukrainians to launch counteroffensives without a significant increase in firepower. According to one official, Ukraine claims it will be facing a Russian onslaught in the upcoming weeks and months, possibly at a time when Ukraine is particularly exposed. Zelensky has been vocal about wanting tanks for this reason. The British have already agreed to send over 14 of the renowned Challenger 2 tanks we've mentioned, and as we've already mentioned, the Netherlands and Spain will probably join Germany in the fight.

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