Russian military television channel Zvezda released a video on 1/7 showing Russian soldiers towing a captured Ukrainian Leopard 2A6 tank in Kursk. The tank appears largely intact, with its tracks, cage armor, and slat armor only slightly damaged. Some Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor blocks are scorched or detonated.
Recovering the Leopard 2A6 involved two stages. Russian troops first scouted the area and assessed the vehicle's condition before towing it. "We tried to start it, but it didn't work the first time. After getting the engine running, it still wouldn't move due to a damaged gearbox," a sergeant involved in the operation said.
Two Russian tanks initially attempted to tow the Leopard 2A6 but encountered difficulties. The soldiers then removed the tracks and used two armored vehicles to tow the Leopard 2A6 and the separated tracks.
The Leopard 2A6 is assessed to be in good condition, with a functioning engine and fire control system, and nearly full ammunition. Mechanics will replace some electrical components and repair damaged parts.
Russia's Rubikon drone unit also released a video showing the destruction of what they claimed was a "Ukrainian Leopard 2 tank" in Sumy. A drone pursued the target and struck its tracks, immobilizing it. At least two more drones then targeted the rear and the area between the turret and hull to disable the vehicle completely.
Lost Armour, a Russia-based open-source intelligence analysis site, identified the tank as a Swedish Strv 122A, a variant of the Leopard 2A5 designed to meet Sweden's specific requirements. This version is not only the most heavily armored Leopard 2A5 variant but also boasts superior protection compared to the German and Dutch Leopard 2A6.
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Location of Kursk and Sumy. Graphic: RYV |
According to Oryx, a Netherlands-based military analysis website, Ukraine has lost 13 of its 21 Western-supplied Leopard 2A6 tanks. 9 of the 10 Strv 122A tanks provided by Sweden have also been destroyed, damaged, or abandoned.
Nguyen Tien (Zvezda, RIA Novosti, AP, Lost Armour)
