Screengrab from drone footage showing a US-supplied Abrams M1 main battle tank smoking near Berdyshy, Avdiivka direction, Donetsk, March 3, 2024. (Russian military media)

Ukraine has reportedly lost two-thirds of the Abrams M1 main battle tanks supplied by the United States within just six months, according to a recent report by Military Watch Magazine.

The outlet estimates that nearly 20 out of the 31 tanks provided by Washington have already been destroyed by Russian forces.

The latest Abrams tank loss occurred in Russia's Kursk Region, which is currently under attack by Ukraine, as per videos uploaded by Russian Telegram channels. Military Watch Magazine noted that this appears to be the first American tank lost by Ukraine during its ongoing incursion into internationally recognized Russian territory.

The destroyed M1 Abrams was equipped with significantly improved explosive reactive armor. Ukraine had taken steps to enhance the protection of these US-made tanks, especially after experiencing heavy losses in their initial engagements with Russian forces between February and April 2024.

The reinforced armor, however, did not suffice to withstand a projectile from a handheld anti-tank missile system, likely a Kornet, which reportedly caused the tank's destruction.

Ukrainian troops complain of Abrams vulnerability

The report also highlighted complaints from Ukrainian troops operating the Abrams tanks regarding technical issues, including the vulnerability of electronic components to condensation and susceptibility to Russian fire. They reported that the tanks' armor is insufficient against contemporary threats such as drones, failing to provide adequate protection for personnel.

Moreover, the Ukrainian crews argued that the M1 Abrams tanks were not well-suited to Ukraine's specific battlefield circumstances. Typically, air power and artillery are used to clear the battlefield before tanks and troops advance. However, Ukrainian forces lack these critical elements, making the deployment of the Abrams tanks less effective.

Military Watch Magazine described the Abrams, alongside the German Leopard 2, British Challenger 2, and Soviet-era T-80 tanks, as among the scarcest tank classes in Ukrainian service.

Despite Kiev's expectation of replacements for its destroyed Leopards from EU nations, the outlet noted that there were few indications that the United States would send additional Abrams tanks.

Russia's Defense Ministry reported on Saturday that since Ukraine began its incursion into the Kursk Region on August 6, it has lost more than 5,550 troops and hundreds of units of military equipment, including 71 tanks.

Severe losses in Kursk

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday that Kiev was suffering large losses as Moscow continues to confront the Ukrainian Armed Forces invading Kursk.

In an update shared on its official Telegram channel, the ministry reported that with the help of air defenses and artillery, Russian units from the North Group were able to foil Ukrainian attacks near the settlements of Borki and Malaya Loknya, as well as Komarovka, Korenevo, Martynovka, and Russkaya Konopelka.

Ukraine lost 70 military servicemen, two armored vehicles, and a car, during the operation, Russia stated.

Reconnaissance and search teams are simultaneously working to locate and dismantle Ukrainian sabotage groups hiding in forests as they attempt to advance further into Russian territory. The ministry confirmed that one such group was reportedly eliminated near Kamyshevka.

Over the course of 24 hours, the Defense Ministry reported that Kiev lost approximately 400 servicemen, along with 17 armored vehicles, including one tank, two armored personnel carriers, 14 armored combat vehicles, two artillery pieces, an MLRS launcher, two mortars, and ten vehicles.