New Tanks for Ukraine: Christmas for the Ukrainian military came about a month late.
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In the span of just a few hours, several Western nations, including the U.S. and Germany, have promised a plethora of advanced weapon systems, including M1 Abrams and Leopard 2 tanks.
On day 337 of the war in Ukraine, things are starting to look more promising for the Ukrainian forces. Kyiv is finally getting the weapons that are necessary to push the Russian forces out of Ukraine.
Russian Casualties in Ukraine
Overall, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense claimed that as of Thursday, Ukrainian forces had killed approximately 123,860 Russian troops (and wounded approximately twice to thrice that number).
Equipment destroyed includes: 292 fighter, attack, bomber, and transport jets, 282 attack and transport helicopters, 3,175 tanks, 2,169 artillery pieces, 6,334 armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, 452 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), 18 boats and cutters, 4,986 vehicles and fuel tanks, 220 anti-aircraft batteries, 1,908 tactical unmanned aerial systems, 195 special equipment platforms, such as bridging vehicles, and four mobile Iskander ballistic missile systems, and 749 cruise missiles shot down by the Ukrainian air defenses.
Dozens of M1 Abrams Tanks and Two Battalions of Leopard 2s
In addition, to the U.S. shipment of 31 Abrams main battle tanks, NATO members and partners have agreed to provide two battalions of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine in the near term.
That would amount to approximately 90 main battle tanks. Coupled with the around 200 M2 Bradley, CV-90, and Marder A1 infantry fighting vehicles, the U.S., Sweden, and Germany have jointly promised Ukraine.
“The United States will continue to work with our Allies and partners to meet Ukraine’s battlefield needs to counter Russian aggression and ensure the continued freedom and independence of the Ukrainian people,” the Department of Defense stated in a press release.
In total, the latest package of U.S. military aid includes 31 M1 Abrams tanks, 8 M88 tactical tank recovery vehicles, support vehicles and equipment, and the necessary funding and training for the Ukrainians.
“Help Ukraine Defend Its Sovereignty”
As expected, U.S. President Joe Biden announced the shipment of 31 M1 Abrams main battle tanks to Ukraine. U.S. diplomacy worked very hard over the past few weeks to persuade Germany to send or greenlight the transfer of Leopard 2 tanks by third countries. In the end, sending the M1 Abrams tank was the only thing that would push Germany into action.
“Together with our Allies and partners, we’ve sent more than 3,000 armored vehicles, more than 8,000 [800] artillery systems, more than 2 million rounds of artillery ammunition, and more than 50 advanced multi-launch rocket systems, anti-ship and air defense systems, all to help counter Ukraine’s [Ukraine counter] brutal aggression that is happening because of Russia,” Biden said.
Despite the difficulties among NATO members and partners, the West has been instrumental in supporting Ukraine.
“Today’s announcement builds on the hard work and commitment from countries around the world, led by the United States of America, to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty and its territorial integrity,” the U.S. President added.
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Expert Biography: A 19FortyFive Defense and National Security Columnist, Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
