Ukrainian soldiers understand that Leopard 2A6 tanks are always a priority target for Russia, causing some to fear and even pretend to have broken down vehicles to avoid fighting.
Sasha, the commander of a Ukrainian Leopard 2A6 tank fighting on the Zaporizhzhia front, was quick to admit that being deployed in the most advanced tank was a terrifying experience for any soldier. "We were always the enemy's number one target," the 55-year-old said in an interview published on June 16.
"I'm quite lucky. I've escaped death twice in tank combat since the conflict began," said Sasha's fellow gunner, Misha, 25. Hudzik, a 22-year-old loader, added that many of his comrades had found ways to avoid going into battle, including pretending their Leopard 2A6 tanks had malfunctioned.
None of the three soldiers blamed those who wanted to avoid combat. "My luck could have run out at any moment. If the enemy had hit the turret, the entire crew would have been dust. It was better to refuse to go into battle in the first place than to run away in the middle of a battle," Misha said.
Ukrainian Leopard 2A6 tanks deployed in Zaporizhzhia province on June 15. Photo: Spiegel
Meanwhile, Sasha said fear is not a problem, as the fear will fade away once the first shot is fired. "The important thing is to avoid panic at all costs," he said.
The crews of the Ukrainian Leopard 2A6 tanks are familiar with the horrors of facing Russian forces. They are among the most experienced tankers in the Ukrainian army, having participated in the failed defense of the Zaporizhzhia front in the early stages of the conflict, then in the recapture of the city of Kherson and the defense of the Donetsk fortresses of Soledar and Bakhmut.
Sasha's crew is taking part in major battles in the long-awaited Ukrainian counteroffensive, taking part in the most important direction - Zaporizhzhia.
Ukrainian troops have captured several villages in the disputed area and are trying to reach the first fortified Russian defense line. This will be a real test for Ukrainian soldiers, as the Russians have been preparing their defenses for months.
Ukrainian soldiers describe the Leopard 2A6 tank as one of the most effective weapons donated by Germany, highly mobile and resistant to many Russian portable anti-tank guns.
The first two battles of the Sasha crew took place at night. They said the fighting was fierce and the Russians had a very solid defensive position. "The enemy was no novice. The recruits usually run away when they see the Leopard tanks open fire, but that was not the case with the other guys. They were really formidable," Sasha recalled.
The Russian positions were protected by a dense minefield, causing at least three Leopard tanks to run over mines on the first day of combat. The first was completely destroyed, while the second was able to evacuate without assistance. The last tank survived, but Ukrainian soldiers were unable to rescue it because it was caught in a minefield and blocked by an M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.
"However, we got to within 600 meters of the target. That's a relatively good result," Sasha said.
Ukraine's potential counterattacks. Graphic: Times
Gunner Misha said that the Leopard 2A6 tank's night vision system made it easier for him to spot Russian soldiers. "I often used high-explosive anti-personnel fragmentation rounds, aiming at a tree near the target. The round would detonate when it hit the tree trunk and scatter fragments all around, making it very difficult for those in the trench to survive," Misha said.
Residents of villages near the Zaporizhzhia frontline said they saw Ukrainian soldiers using Western weapons, except for some Soviet-era AK rifles.
The Ukrainian army has also suffered heavy losses, despite Kiev’s efforts to limit the flow of information from the front. Scores of seriously wounded soldiers have been taken to hospitals just miles from the fighting zone, with doctors saying they have seen a spike in casualties over the past week.
A Ukrainian reconnaissance officer, who monitors the situation across the southern front, admitted that the country had suffered significant losses in men and equipment.
It is difficult to assess the success of the counter-offensive that has been going on for the past 10 days. Most of the main brigades that Ukraine has been preparing for months have not yet appeared, and it could take weeks for them to reach the first major Russian lines.
The Leopard 2A6 is not a perfect machine either. Mechanics have to constantly repair two tanks in Sasha's unit, including replacing the gun stabilization system. Gunner Misha also has problems with the night sight. "The tank can still fight, but the laser rangefinder always has problems when switching targets," he said.
They were scheduled to depart at 6 p.m., but the order to fight was not given. Instead, two infantrymen from the Azov Brigade approached the unit and announced their intention to rescue a Leopard 2A4 tank stuck in the fighting area. They did not know how to start the vehicle and wanted the Leopard 2A6 crew to assist.
Sasha's crew tried to decipher German markings written in the cockpit of the Leopard 2A4, while Azov soldiers described chaos during the battle and friendly fire among Ukrainian soldiers. "The Russians captured two tanks," said a member of the Azov Brigade.
Misha sits on a Leopard 2A6 in Zaporizhzhia province. Photo: Spiegel
The Leopard 2A6 tank unit continued to wait for orders to fight, saying it had to maintain a state of readiness to move around the clock. Ukrainian soldiers often avoid two thoughts, death in battle and life at home far from the front, because they believe they are distracting.
“There are still times when we let that thought creep into our minds,” Misha said, describing a comrade in another unit who was hit by a shell while resting next to a Leopard tank, just as he was.
Vu Anh (According to Spiegel )
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