Throughout the war in Ukraine, much attention has turned to Russia’s tank losses. Not as much scrutiny has been given to the Ukrainian side, which has been subject to the same brutal attrition as Russia. After three years of war, Ukraine’s tank forces have undoubtedly taken a heavy beating, even with the support of Western industry.
Pre-war Tank Stocks in Ukraine
Russia’s T-72 tank drilling. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Prior to 2022, Kyiv had a fleet of around 800-900 tanks in active service. Most were various models of T-64, alongside some T-72s, a handful of T-80s, and a minuscule number of T-84s. Several hundred more tanks were mothballed or put in storage.
While this seems like a small number of tanks compared with Russia, Ukraine had one of the largest tank fleets in all of Europe, a fact often overlooked.
Assessing Ukraine’s Tank Losses
Finding reliable figures on Ukraine’s equipment losses is extremely difficult, as most Western sources are heavily biased in favor of Kyiv, and Russian sources are usually inflated for propaganda purposes. According to Oryx, around 1,135 tanks have been destroyed, disabled, or captured throughout the war.
The real number is likely a bit higher. In any case, Ukraine has lost more tanks than it had at the start of the war.
Ukraine’s Western Lifeline
How has Ukraine been able to cope with these losses? Western support has been vital to the survival of Ukraine’s tank fleet. Poland alone has donated more than 220 T-72s to Ukraine throughout the war. A large number of Leopard tanks were also handed over by a broad coalition of European states.
Around 270 Leopard 1 tanks were pledged to Ukraine, along with another 167 Leopard 2 tanks. In addition, the United Kingdom delivered around 12 Challenger 2 tanks, and the U.S. delivered 31 tanks to Ukraine, with Australia pledging another 49.
It is clear that Western aid has been instrumental to the survival of the Ukrainian army. In addition to supplying tanks, many European states assist Kyiv in performing maintenance and repairs on damaged tanks, further helping Ukraine cope with losses. Ukraine’s prewar tank fleet was all but annihilated, but thanks to Western support, Ukraine has been able to keep going.
Russia’s Tank Killers
There are several weapons Russia has used to take down Ukrainian tanks, but drones are by far the most prominent. Both Kyiv and Moscov utilize vast numbers of First-Person View drones with anti-tank warheads strapped onto them.
Experienced drone pilots know which weak points in a tank to target to ensure a clean kill. Using these methods, Russia has been able to take out Ukrainian armor with relative ease. The Lancet is another drone system that has proven its worth against Ukrainian armor. Cheap and easy to use, the Lancet is everything the American Switchblade should have been.
Anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) have also played a role in taking out Ukrainian armor. While not as sophisticated as the Javelins or NLAWs used by Ukraine, Russian systems like the Kornet make up for it in penetration ability. The Kornet has accounted for multiple tank kills, even on Western tanks with thick armor.
The 9K121 Vikhr ATGM is another system that has been used frequently. Launched by attack helicopters, these missiles have proven deadly against Ukrainian armor in regions such as Kursk and Zaporizhzhia.
Poor Operational Choices
Poor tactics have also played a role in Ukraine’s tank losses. Throughout the war, Ukraine has launched many ill-fated offensives that have accomplished little. The leading example is Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive, during which Ukrainian armor rolled right into waiting minefields and defensive positions, losing many tanks as a result.
The second example is Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. Attempting to draw Russian forces away from central Ukraine, the Ukrainian high command ordered an offensive into Kursk using some of its best-armored divisions.
While they held a large bulge in the Kursk region, Russia was able to force them out, and in the process, much of Ukraine’s armor was lost—all for an operation that was doomed to fail from the start.
How Long Can Ukraine Last?
Kyiv has been able to shoulder these losses due to Western support and its own tank industry, which has been valiantly working despite obstacles. However, Ukraine cannot keep this up. Despite the attrition rate being in Ukraine’s favor (according to estimates), Ukraine’s resources are not infinite, and neither are NATO’s.
While Russia has sustained major tank losses, its Soviet stocks and industry have been able to shoulder the burden for the time being. Given the material circumstances, it is likely that Russia can sustain its war effort for longer than Ukraine can.
Russian T-72 tank from Ukraine War. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Russian T-72 tank. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Kyiv has already faced manpower and equipment shortages in other areas of its armed forces. The longer the war continues, the more these issues will be exacerbated. At the current rate, Ukraine cannot win the war without a peace settlement or direct Western intervention.
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.
