First M1 Abrams Tank Destroyed In Ukraine Shortly After Appearance On Battlefield 

Russian forces claim they have successfully destroyed an American-supplied M1 Abrams main battle tank for the first time, coming two full years into the Ukraine war, outside the captured city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region.

The US-made advanced tank was reportedly taken out by a kamikaze drone or loitering munition launched by Russia’s 15th Motorized Rifle Brigade. Russian state media accounts made the announcement Monday and published video purporting to show the destruction of the M1 Abrams main battle tank.

“Footage circulating online purports to show the vehicle with a large column of fire rising from its turret,” RT wrote. “It was reportedly targeted by a FPV suicide drone and sustained at least one hit from a shoulder-mounted anti-tank grenade launcher.”

The attack is said to have happened in or near the village of Berdychi, which lies northwest of Avdeevka. Ukraine forces are reportedly in retreat from the city after Russia’s recent capture of it last week.

The introduction of Western main battle tanks into Ukraine appears to have made little or no actual difference in giving Ukraine a tactical advantage.

Instead, starting last spring Russian media widely circulated images showing German-made Leopard 2 tanks burning. And then in September the first UK-supplied Challenger 2 was destroyed.

Below: the widely circulating new footage purporting to show the first destruction of an Abrams main battle tank in Ukraine…

🇷🇺⚡️🇺🇦 BREAKING: The first American M1 Abrams Tank has been destroyed in Ukraine 🪖 pic.twitter.com/dsSKsjKj5z

— World War Now (@WorldWarNow_) February 26, 2024

So to some degree, these tanks being lost in battle has become a humiliation for Ukraine’s Western backers, and is at the same time an immense PR victory for the Russians.

Ironically it was only last Friday that Business Insider reported on the first Abrams spotting on the battlefield: 

Newly released video footage offers a first look at the heavy US-made Abrams tank in combat in Ukraine.

When the US delivered the tanks to Ukraine last fall, it added significant capabilities to Ukraine’s ground forces. It comes with challenges as well, but the American-made tank is widely considered to be among the most capable in the world.

Only last Friday…

Abrams in action.

📹: 47th Mechanized Brigade pic.twitter.com/Xd0cPEPu57

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) February 23, 2024

Over a year ago the Kremlin warned: “If a decision to transfer to Kiev M1 Abrams is made, American tanks without any doubt will be destroyed as all other samples of NATO military equipment.” Other Russian officials have since warned that Abrams tanks will “burn” on the battlefield, according to TASS. 

Ukraine has reportedly received 31 Abrams tanks in total, but there are reports not all of them have been deployed to the battlefield yet. Ukrainian operators had to undergo at least six months to a year of specialized training from US advisers, but it’s also possible these tanks were prematurely rushed to the battlefield with crews unprepared for direct battle.