Russia claims to have destroyed more of Ukraine's Abrams tanks

Russia released video of a second Ukrainian Abrams tank and an M1150 mine-clearing vehicle being shot and burned near the city of Avdeevka in Donetsk province.

Russian media on March 3 released a video of Russian soldiers using a first-person view drone (FPV) to attack an M1A1SA Abrams tank and an M1150 ABV mine-clearing vehicle in Berdychi village northwest of Avdeevka city in Donetsk province.

"Soldiers from the Central Military District used RPG anti-tank guns to shoot off the tracks of an Abrams tank, before it was finished off by the drone crew of the 30th Independent Mechanized Infantry Brigade," RusVesna news site reported.

Russia destroys more Abrams tanks, million-dollar mine-clearing vehicles of Ukraine

A destroyed Ukrainian Abrams tank and ABV mine-clearing vehicle in a video released on March 3. Video: RIA Novosti

In the video, the Abrams tank rotates its turret sideways and lies next to a previously destroyed BTR armored personnel carrier. The first FPV drone hits the left side of the turret, while the other targets the thin armor on the turret roof. The second image shows an M1150 mine clearing vehicle burning and smoking heavily on an empty road, it is not clear whether it hit a mine or was attacked by an FPV drone.

These are the second Abrams tanks and M1150 ABV mine-clearing vehicles destroyed by Russian forces in the past 10 days.

The Russian and Ukrainian Defense Ministries have not commented on the information.

Abrams tank with broken tracks in photo released on March 3. Photo: RIA Novosti

The US has delivered a total of 31 M1A1SA Abrams tanks to Ukraine, enough to equip an armored battalion. But for many months before that, this main battle tank model had not participated in any battles, and images of them were very rare on the Ukrainian battlefield.

On February 26, the Russian 15th Mechanized Infantry Brigade used a drone to attack the rear and underside of the turret, where the artillery ammunition was stored, destroying Ukraine's first M1A1SA Abrams tank. The Ukrainian crew is said to have made a mistake by deploying the lone tank in open terrain, causing it to be detected and attacked by the Russian drone.

Mistake causes Ukrainian Abrams tank to burn

The M1 Abrams is considered one of the best tanks in the world today. However, the M1A1 version donated to Ukraine is not equipped with modern armor like the US military version, making them more vulnerable to many common anti-tank missiles.

The M1150 mine-clearing vehicle, which costs about $4 million, uses the chassis of an M1 Abrams tank, is equipped with a British mine plow and a detonator cord launcher to remotely clear mines. Western experts consider it one of the best protected and most versatile vehicles on the Ukrainian battlefield.

Location of the city of Avdeevka and Russian-controlled strongholds in Donetsk. Graphics: RYV

Vu Anh (According to RIA Novosti, Reuters )

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