Key Points and Summary: The M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle has seen intense combat in Ukraine, proving its survivability and firepower in engagements against Russian armor.
-However, the highly anticipated Western vehicle has struggled to turn the tide of the war, suffering heavy losses in Ukraine’s failed 2023 counteroffensive.
-While praised by Ukrainian troops, the Bradley alone cannot overcome Russia’s deep defensive lines, evolving tactics, and overwhelming firepower.
-Without sufficient numbers or air superiority, even the best Western equipment has limits. The Bradley has not failed—but it also hasn’t been the decisive weapon many once hoped it would be.
M2 Bradleys in Ukraine: A Game-Changer or a Battlefield Struggle?
The war in Ukraine has exposed the vulnerabilities of many armored vehicles in modern warfare. Whether it be the Russian T-90M or the German Leopard 2, both have been destroyed in large quantities, and armored losses on both sides are staggeringly high.
Likewise, the M2 Bradley has had a rough time on the drone-ridden battlefields of Ukraine.
While the M2 has distinguished itself in many ways in Ukraine, it has ultimately failed to be the gamechanger that Ukraine needs and has failed to turn the tide of the war.
Bradleys for Ukraine
In 2022, it was announced that the U.S. would send 186 M2A2 Bradleys to Ukraine (some suspect the real number is much higher).
The M2A2, despite its age, offered a host of advanced capabilities such as improved armor, better fire control systems, and advanced electronic command and control systems. Even though a relatively small number of Bradleys were sent, they still offered a lot of advantages, and Western analysts speculated that they could provide the edge Ukraine needed to push the Russians back.
The M2 Bradley vs. the Surovikin Line
The M2 Bradley made its combat debut in Spring 2023 when Ukraine launched its counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia region with the goal of breaching Russian lines and cutting off Crimea. The offensive also debuted a number of other Western-donated equipment such as the Leopard 2 and the French AMX-10 RC.
The results were underwhelming, to say the least. The counteroffensive managed to retake 370 km² of territory (most of which Russia has since recaptured). Western equipment also suffered substantial casualties, which spread like wildfire on Russian propaganda channels. Far from reaching Melitopol, Ukraine barely managed to breach the first line of Russian defenses. What went wrong?
The major issue was that the Bradley was sent headfirst into well-prepared defensive lines with little to no air support.
The Russians knew where Ukraine was planning to attack and had prepared accordingly with sophisticated trench lines and extensive minefields. Even for the Bradley and Leopard 2, breaching such lines was a Herculean task, especially without air support. Consequently, Ukraine walked right where the Russians wanted them and right into the awaiting minefields
Recovering from the Shock
After the Zaporizhzhia counteroffensive ended in failure, the M2 Bradley was transported to other regions in Ukraine where it saw a bit more success.
Equipped with the M2A2, Ukraine’s 47th brigade took part in the defense of Avdiivka and other towns in the central Donbass. Ukrainian operators praised the M2 for its firepower and survivability, which has saved many Ukrainian lives.
The Bradley Fighting Vehicle cuts loose several rounds from the 25mm main gun on the orchard Combat Training Center Range.
Soldiers completed training this week of the Bradley Commanders Course with the 204th Regional Training Institute, (RTI), of the Idaho Army National Guard on Gowen Field. The course is designed to train active duty, reserve and national guard officers and non-commissioned officers in combat critical M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Commander Skills. Field exercises were conducted on the newest Range 10, the Digital Air Ground Integrated Range (DAGIR), on the Orchard Combat Training Center grounds.
In a now-famous instance, two Bradleys were able to go toe-to-toe with a T-90M in the town of Stepove, damaging it before a kamikaze drone finished it off. Other stories surfaced of Bradleys winning duels with other Russian IFVs and “tearing apart” Russian armored columns. While some of these stories may be exaggerated, the Bradley has certainly distinguished itself even among other Western equipment.
Saving Lives or Delaying the Inevitable?
Despite the stories of Bradleys tearing apart Russian equipment, it is important not to miss the forest for the trees.
Even with the Bradley winning 1v1 duels with Russian equipment, the map continues to change in Russia’s favor. Russia was still able to take Avdiivka despite its losses and has now pushed far beyond the city, now threatening positions that were once in Ukraine’s backline.
While thought to be a potential game-changer, the Bradley has ultimately failed to push back or even halt the Russian army.
As of January 2024, the total number of confirmed Bradley losses according to Oryx is 140 total destroyed, abandoned, or captured. These losses, even with more Bradleys sent, are a frightening prospect for Ukraine.
Has the Bradley Failed in Ukraine?
The Bradley has performed valiantly considering its circumstances. Its survivability and reliability speak to its brilliant design.
Unfortunately, Ukraine can only do so much with so few M2s, especially in the face of ever-evolving Russian tactics.
U.S. Army Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, participated in a battalion wide training event consisting of attacking and defending Bradley Fighting Vehicles and M1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, on Fort Riley, February 4, 2024. The defending teams dug hasty trench defenses to further conceal and provide cover for their tanks. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Kenneth Barnet)
It would be unfair to call the Bradley a failure, especially when compared to its Soviet counterparts, but without air support or numerical superiority, there’s only so much it can do.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
