Report: Almost all U.S.-supplied Abrams tanks to Ukraine DESTROYED by Russian forces

By ramontomeydw // 2025-06-16

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Russian forces have destroyed or captured 26 of the 31 U.S.-supplied M1 Abrams tanks since February 2024, with independent analysts confirming at least 17 visually verified losses (eight destroyed, seven abandoned and one captured).
Russia has showcased captured Abrams in expos and used fiber-optic-guided drones to target them, circumventing electronic jamming. Recent footage confirms the recovery of two intact tanks in Ukraine's Sumy region.
Initially touted as a "game-changer," the Abrams struggled against Russian drone warfare and artillery, forcing Ukraine to withdraw remaining tanks from the front lines. U.S. officials admit the tanks faced high risks in drone-saturated environments.
Despite U.S. training in combined arms warfare, Ukrainian forces often deployed Abrams tanks in isolated engagements. Ammunition shortages and delays in Western aid further hampered their effectiveness.
The rapid attrition of Abrams tanks has prompted the U.S. to recalibrate support, focusing on counter-drone systems and long-range missiles (like ATACMs) over heavy armor, acknowledging the evolving nature of modern warfare.

Russian forces have taken out the majority of the 31 M1 Abrams tanks supplied by the U.S. to Ukraine, with only a handful operational. According to Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti, 26 of the 31 Abrams tanks have been destroyed since February 2024 – a figure corroborated by independent analysts. Open-source tracking group Oryx reported at least 17 visually confirmed losses by late 2024 – including eight destroyed, seven abandoned and one captured. Russian forces have showcased captured Abrams tanks in military expos, while videos circulating on Telegram depict Ukrainian tanks being struck by fiber-optic-guided drones – a tactic designed to evade electronic jamming. The Russian Ministry of Defense also released footage of troops recovering two intact Abrams tanks in Ukraine's Sumy region, further highlighting the vulnerabilities of Western-supplied hardware. (Related: Russia flaunts Western military equipment CAPTURED from Ukraine ahead of Victory Day parade.) News of the tanks, which were once hailed as a potential "game-changer," being captured highlight the stark reversal of early optimism. Since their deployment in late 2023, the $10 million-per-unit tanks have struggled against Russia's relentless drone warfare and artillery superiority, forcing Ukrainian commanders to withdraw the remaining vehicles from the front lines. The setbacks mark a dramatic shift from January 2023, when former U.S. President Joe Biden authorized the tank transfer after months of Ukrainian lobbying. U.S. officials initially envisioned the Abrams as a key asset for breaking through Russian fortifications, but the battlefield reality proved far more perilous. "There isn't open ground that you can just drive across without fear of detection," a senior U.S. defense official admitted anonymously back in April 2024. Joint Chiefs of Staf Vice Chairman Adm. Christopher Grady acknowledged the challenge, stating that "massed armor in an environment where unmanned aerial systems are ubiquitous can be at risk."

Russia's drone swarms are outsmarting Western tanks

The rapid attrition of these advanced weapons systems underscores the evolving nature of modern combat, where cheap drones can neutralize multimillion-dollar armor. It also raises urgent questions about the efficacy of Western military aid and the future of Ukraine's defense strategy. Kyiv's struggles with the Abrams also reflect broader tactical shortcomings. Despite U.S. training in combined arms warfare – coordinating tanks with infantry, artillery and air support – Ukrainian forces largely employed the tanks in isolated engagements, leaving them exposed. The failed 2023 counteroffensive, compounded by ammunition shortages due to delayed U.S. aid, further diminished their effectiveness. In contrast, Moscow has adapted swiftly, deploying swarms of surveillance and hunter-killer drones to pinpoint and eliminate high-value targets. The proliferation of cheap, artificial intelligence-enhanced drones has rendered traditional armor tactics obsolete without constant innovation. The U.S. is now recalibrating aid, prioritizing counter-drone systems and long-range missiles like ATACMs over heavy armor – a tacit admission that the war's dynamics have irrevocably shifted. As Ukraine braces for another grueling year of fighting, the Abrams saga serves as a cautionary tale about the limits of technological superiority in asymmetric warfare. While Washington reaffirms its commitment to Kyiv's defense, the mounting losses underscore the urgent need for smarter, more adaptable strategies. Head over to MilitaryTechnology.news for more similar stories. Watch this clip of a Russian fiber optic drone taking out an M1 Abrams tank in Russia's Kursk region. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

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Russia's drone swarms are outsmarting Western tanks

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