Ukraine's "invincible" tank "collapses" before Russian missiles

The Russian Ministry of Defense recently released a video recording an attack on a British-made Challenger 2 main battle tank used by Kiev forces in Russia's Kursk region.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Ka-52 helicopters attacked several vehicles of Kiev forces with Vikhr anti-tank guided missiles along the Kursk border with Ukraine's Sumy region.

In the final part of the video , the Challenger 2 tank is hit directly by a missile while moving. The Vikhr is a high-precision missile guided by laser. The missile has a range of up to 12 km, is equipped with an 8–12 kg anti-tank explosive, can bypass reactive armor and penetrate 1,000 mm of copper armor. With such power, it would be very difficult for the tank to "survive" a direct hit.

Ka-52 helicopter attacked and destroyed Challenger 2 tank of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. (Source:SF)

This is the second time that a Challenger 2 tank of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been destroyed by Russian fire in Kursk since Kiev forces launched surprise attacks in the area in early August.

The first Challenger 2 tank was completely destroyed by a Lancet drone. Video footage of the attack was released to the media on August 11.

The UK delivered at least 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Kiev forces in 2023. These tanks first saw action during Ukraine’s spring counteroffensive in 2023. According to SF, the Challenger 2 tanks fared poorly, with around half of them reported to have been destroyed, damaged or taken out of service due to technical issues. The remaining tanks were subsequently withdrawn from the front line.

The lack of tanks may have forced Kiev forces to use their remaining Challenger 2 tanks in the attack on Kursk.

The Challenger 2 tank was once sketched by the British as an "invincible" tank. The outstanding feature of the Challenger 2 is the 120mm L30A gun, while other tanks produced by the West or the Soviet Union all have smoothbore guns.

HOA AN (According to SF)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/xe-tang-bat-kha-chien-bai-cua-ukraine-guc-nga-truoc-ten-lua-nga-204240820113034586.htm