The Russian president believes that Moscow's military is not interested in using Western armor because it's a prioritizing target for Moscow's military.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Ukrainian troops are reluctant to make use of the heavy equipment provided by Western backers as it has become a liability.
Western tanks are a priority target for Russian forces, and burn more fiercely than Soviet-made equivalents when hit, the president told the Rossiya 24 TV channel.
Putin, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Russian troops have destroyed a total of 311 Ukrainian tanks since June 4, including at least a third of them, including Western-made tanks, including leopards. He said that the Ukrainian servicemen often refuse to get into those Western tanks because they are a top priority target for our guys and are being destroyed first on the battlefield. And they burn like the rest probably even better than the Soviet-made ones like T-72, the Russian leader said.
Further Western armsshipments will not significantly help Kiev on the frontline, Putin said, adding that it will only make the situation worse for the Ukrainian side, inflaming the conflict further. Some parties have been trying to prolong the hostilities, he said.
Russia has always said that the Western-made tanks, which Kiev had largely reserved for its much-touted counteroffensive, would not be a game changer. As early as January, the Russian government predicted that they would burn like the other weapons sent to Ukraine by the US and its allies.
The Ukraine campaign, which was launched in early June, has so far failed to produce any tangible results. The forces of Kiev have incurred significant losses as they sought to breach the Russian defences, while gaining little ground. In early July, Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu said Ukraine's army's fleet of German-made Leopard tanks was dwindling.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Ukrainian commanders have been holding back their Western tanks after an initial failure to achieve significant battlefield success.
9 Comments
Jordan
It is not logical for Ukrainian soldiers to refuse to use Western tanks solely based on the fact that they may be targeted more heavily. The tanks are designed to protect the soldiers inside and provide them with an advantage on the battlefield.
The Truth
The article does not provide a balanced perspective or include any quotes or viewpoints from Ukrainian officials or soldiers to counter Putin's claims.
Answer
It is possible that the Ukrainian forces are still adapting to the use of Western armor and have not yet fully optimized their strategies for its use.
The Truth
It is reasonable for Ukrainian soldiers to be hesitant to use Western tanks if they believe that they are more likely to be destroyed. Protecting the lives of soldiers should be a top priority.
Answer
Western armor may have other advantages, such as better mobility and firepower, which could outweigh the increased risk of being targeted.
Golova Hvosta
The claims made by Vladimir Putin cannot be verified as they are coming from a biased source. It is possible that he is exaggerating the number of tanks destroyed to undermine Kiev's use of Western armor.
Fernucha
Putin's statement that some parties are deliberately prolonging the conflict is a vague claim that lacks evidence and could be used to shift blame away from Russia's own actions.
Nikolson
This news depicts a complex and somber reality of modern warfare, where the efficacy and vulnerabilities of military equipment are as crucial as the strategies employed. The Russian President's claim that Ukrainian forces are hesitant to use Western-provided tanks due to their vulnerability is a significant statement, reflecting the ongoing tug-of-war in perceptions and strategies in this conflict. It's intriguing to see the emphasis on the specific types of tanks and their performance in combat conditions. The mention of Western tanks being a priority target and their alleged propensity to burn more fiercely than Soviet-made tanks like the T-72 adds a layer of tactical analysis to the ongoing conflict. However, these claims also raise questions about the nature of warfare, the reliability of information in conflict zones, and the strategic narratives employed by different parties. Furthermore, the Russian President's assertion that further Western arms shipments won't significantly aid Kyiv, and might worsen the situation for Ukraine, suggests a perspective where the prolongation and intensification of the conflict are seen as detrimental outcomes of external military support. This viewpoint aligns with a narrative emphasizing the futility of external military interventions in such conflicts. Overall, this news piece serves as a reminder of the complexities and brutal realities of war, where not just the physical battles, but also the battle of narratives and perceptions play a critical role. The situation on the ground appears to be a challenging and evolving scenario, with each side adapting and responding to the other's tactics and equipment.
Raphael
The focus on Western tanks distracts from the broader issue of Russian aggression and intervention in Ukraine, which is the primary cause of the conflict.