Why Ukraine uses Leopard battle tanks as long-range artillery

Lý do Ukraine dùng xe tăng chiến đấu Leopard như pháo tầm xa - 1 — Ukrainian soldiers use Leopard tanks at a training area (Photo: Getty).

AFP reported that Ukraine is using the advanced Leopard tanks it received from Western allies for defensive purposes instead of as assault weapons to penetrate Russian defenses.

The shift has been taking place over the past few weeks, as Ukraine's six-month counter-offensive has failed to make significant progress and now Ukraine has had to go on the defensive as Russia escalates its relentless attacks on Kiev's positions.

Therefore, according to AFP, Ukraine must use the tanks deployed along the front line as long-range artillery systems rather than as attack weapons like the Leopard's inherent function.

A soldier from Ukraine's 21st Mechanized Brigade told AFP that the unit's tanks "were not used in the same way as during the counter-offensive".

The Ukrainian main battle tanks are being used to target ammunition depots and groups of soldiers such as artillery batteries, the person said.

The Leopard 2A6 proved to be suitable for "shoot and run" tactics due to its fast maneuverability and, more importantly, the tank was equipped with a special gearbox, allowing the vehicle to reach speeds of up to 30km/h when reversing.

However, when it was on a mission to penetrate the Russian defense line as at the beginning of the counter-offensive campaign, the Leopard did not show much against the minefields and "rain of fire" from the enemy. Ukraine recorded many Leopards destroyed when attacking the enemy's solid defense barrier.

So Ukraine deploys Leopards or heavy artillery systems in the rear, to support infantry attacks. Not trying to push tanks through dense and risky minefields can help Ukraine preserve its valuable heavy weapons.

Ukraine began a counter-offensive in June but has yet to make any major breakthrough in pushing back Russian forces and regaining territory.

Ukraine's efforts are expected to slow as winter weather sets in and Russia has begun to intensify its attacks in some front areas such as Kupyansk and Avdiivka.

Ukraine's allies agreed to supply Leopard tanks in January, after months of repeated requests from Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in August that he wanted the counteroffensive to begin much earlier but Kiev had to wait for more weapons from the West.

He said this time had allowed Russia to build up formidable defenses that had slowed Ukraine's advance over the past few months.

Earlier this month, Mr Zelensky admitted that the country's counter-offensive had not achieved the expected results, but Kiev would not give up.

"We will not back down. We are fighting the second strongest army in the world . We wanted faster results, but unfortunately we did not get the results we expected," President Zelensky told the AP news agency on December 1.

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