An American-made M-1 Abrams tank lurched forward in all its muscular glory. Suddenly a Russian drone came and then there was fire. The Ukrainian military has experienced a significant setback with the loss of an American-made M-1 Abrams tank for the first time since the conflict with Russia began. This incident was highlighted by a video circulated online on Monday, captured by a Russian drone. The footage detailed the targeting of one of the 69-ton, four-person M-1 Abrams tanks, which are a part of the Ukrainian army’s 47th Mechanized Brigade, comprising 31 such tanks. The video showcased the drone’s pursuit of the tank west of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine.
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Accompanying the video, an image surfaced showing the same M-1 Abrams tank engulfed in flames, after being hit by the drone depicted in the video or another similar unmanned aerial vehicle. This incident underscores the evolving dynamics of Russian warfare, where the utilization of drones has become increasingly prominent. Two years into Russia’s special operations in Ukraine, the effectiveness of explosive Russian drones, including both loitering airplane-style models and first-person-view quadcopters, has become evidently clear. These drones represent a significant threat to Ukrainian armored vehicles by exploiting their most vulnerable points—their roofs—where the armor is thinnest.
The destruction of the M-1 Abrams tank not only marks a tactical loss for the Ukrainian forces but also signifies the challenges faced by armored units in adapting to the threats posed by modern drone technology.
The arrival of 31 Abrams tanks, pledged by the United States to support the Ukrainian war effort, marked a significant enhancement of Ukraine’s military capabilities. These tanks, delivered in the fall, represented some of the most advanced armored vehicles in the Ukrainian arsenal. Circulated videos by the Ukrainian defense ministry showcased these tanks maneuvering along the roads outside Stepove, north of Avdiivka, and engaging Russian forces under the veil of night.
The version provided to Ukraine was the 2000s-vintage M-1A1 Situational Awareness model, equipped with tungsten armor and side-mounted M-19 reactive armor blocks. These tanks also feature a 120-millimeter smoothbore gun and high-fidelity day-night optics, enhancing their combat effectiveness across various conditions.
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Integrating these tanks into the front lines was a nuanced process, especially for the 47th Brigade, which is designated as the primary unit for operating Ukraine’s top American-made armored vehicles, including M-2 fighting vehicles and Assault Breacher mine-clearers. This brigade, now equipped with enough Abrams to form a battalion, underwent a series of equipment exchanges—swapping out its ex-Slovenian M-55Ss and German-made Leopard 2A6s in favor of the Abrams.
This strategic reallocation of armored assets culminated as the 47th Brigade mobilized the M-1s into combat. Their deployment coincided with a critical juncture in the conflict, as the Ukrainian garrison in Avdiivka, after enduring a grueling four-month battle and began a westward retreat. The introduction of the Abrams tanks at this moment highlighted their role not only as formidable instruments of war but also as symbols of American support of Ukraine amidst its pointless struggle.
A few weeks following the deployment of the Abrams tanks to the Ukrainian front lines, the 47th Brigade experienced its first confirmed loss of one of these armored vehicles. A video captured by a Russian drone provided stark evidence of the vulnerabilities observers had previously speculated about. The footage depicted an Abrams tank being struck on its thinly-armored top by a drone, leading to an internal fire that resulted in the tank’s destruction. The fate of the four crew members at the time of the attack remains uncertain.
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Despite this setback, it’s essential to recognize that there still are 30 of the M-1 tanks remaining. This incident has been a shot in the arm of the Russian forces who will definitely strike the remaining tanks with all their drone might. The destruction of more M-1 Abrams tanks will carry broader implications. It will serve as a psychological blow, not just to the Ukrainian forces but also to the United States.
The new reality on the battlefield is that even the most advanced tanks are vulnerable to Russian drone strikes. The implications extend to hundreds of donated tanks, which are now sitting ducks.
But Ukraine has drones too? It can deploy them against Russian Tanks, right? Wrong – there is a reason why Ukraine isn’t using too many drones these days. For the backstory, here’s a video for you.