A British-made Challenger 2 tank was destroyed in combat in Ukraine, footage showed, marking the first time that one of the vehicles has been destroyed in combat.
The Challenger 2, the British equivalent to the American M1A2 Abrams tank, has been vaunted as one of the best tanks in the world. This is largely due to its advanced armor, the specifics of which are classified but make the tank the most well-protected on Earth, according to some experts. On Monday, footage emerged of the smoldering wreck of a Challenger 2. It was later confirmed by drone footage, marking the first time one of the tanks has been destroyed in combat.
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The first proof of the Challenger 2’s destruction emerged on Monday. A video from a presumed Ukrainian soldier caught the wreckage while passing by in a car near other destroyed vehicles.
Russian forces later confirmed the wreck was a Challenger 2 via drone footage.
The manner in which the vehicle was destroyed is unclear, and Russian and Western sources are making various claims.
A Western defense source told the BBC that the tank was immobilized by a mine, which caused a fire in the rear fuel compartment. As it lay dormant, it was targeted by a Lancet drone. The source said that all crew members survived.
Many Russian sources disputed the account, with military analyst Dmitry Kornev telling RIA Novosti that he believes the damage was “definitely” not due to a mine. He said he believes that the tank was ambushed and hit from the top or side by a helicopter or anti-tank-guided missile.
Prior to Monday, the British military boasted that no Challenger 2 had been lost to enemy fire since entering service in 1994. The British Ministry of Defense website still made the claim as of press time.
The tank has previously seen action in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Iraq. One Challenger was lost in Iraq in 2003 to friendly fire from another Challenger 2.
Russian media and officials were quick to celebrate the loss, with Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, sarcastically congratulating their “former British partners.”
“Congratulations to our former British partners,” he said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “One more myth debunked — high time to update information on ‘invincible’ Challenger 2 at your MoD’s website. Keep calm and expect more destruction of your military equipment in Ukraine!”
Congratulations to our former British partners. One more myth debunked – high time to update information on “invincible” Challenger 2 at your MoD’s website. Keep calm and expect more destruction of your military equipment in Ukraine! https://t.co/b3yuYUPPHF
— Dmitry Polyanskiy 🇺🇳 (@Dpol_un) September 5, 2023
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After initially refusing, the U.K. announced in January that it would be sending 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, with training taking several months. The tanks have apparently been kept in reserve, as combat footage featuring them hasn’t emerged.
Ukraine has also suffered several losses of its new German-made Leopard tanks, which were first used in Ukraine’s summer counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia region. The country has not received its promised 31 American Abrams tanks but is expected to soon.
