The ‘Center’ group of Russian troops, in a significant move, has evacuated the first American tank, M1 Abrams, from the front line in the Avdiivka sector in Donbas, reported Alexander Savchuk, the head of the group’s press center, to RIA Novosti.
“Now the fighters of the ‘Center’ group have successfully evacuated the tank from the front line. Soon, everyone interested will be able to see it at an exhibition on Poklonnaya Gora,” he said.
Last September, the Ukrainian army took possession of the first M1A1 Abrams SA (Situational Awareness) battle tanks promised to them by the United States following Germany’s decision to transfer Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv.
However, the 31 M1A1 Abrams SA tanks delivered were not immediately deployed into combat by the 47th Ukrainian mechanized brigade. They deemed that the tanks were not adequately protected against teleoperated munitions. Additionally, logistical constraints had to be considered, given that the Honeywell AGT1500 turbine, which powers this type of tank, is very fuel-intensive.
It was a significant turning point when the Abrams tanks, now equipped with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA), were finally deployed in the Avdiivka region. However, this deployment was not without its challenges. In February, the vulnerability of these tanks was starkly demonstrated when it was confirmed that one of them had been destroyed by a Russian teleoperated munition, a clear indication of the changing dynamics of modern warfare.
According to American media reports, at least five Abrams tanks have been rendered inoperable in Ukraine in the past two months. Last Friday, the Associated Press, citing American military officials, reported that Ukraine had ceased using Abrams tanks provided by the United States due to Russian drone activity. Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada deputy Maxim Buzhansky later confirmed this information.
In mid-April, a German Leopard 2 tank was evacuated from the Avdiivka direction. Additionally, this week, the Russian Central Military District removed a damaged M1150 Shredder engineer vehicle, based on the Abrams, from the front line near Avdiivka.
On May 1st, an exhibition of captured weapons and equipment seized by Russian military forces during special operations will open on Poklonnaya Gora in Moscow. The exhibition will showcase over 30 types of military equipment from the USA, UK, Germany, France, Turkey, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, South Africa, Finland, Australia, Austria, and Ukraine. Among the highlights are the German Leopard 2 tank, American BMP Bradley, Swedish BMP CV90, and the French armored fighting vehicle AMX-10RC.
