‘4.2 million kilos, wasted’: Russia blows up Challenger 2 tank equipped by the UK to Ukraine

On Monday, 4th September 2023, Russian forces engaged within the southern area of Ukraine claimed to have destroyed a British-supplied Challenger 2 tank. A video displaying the tank’s smoldering wreckage went viral on social media. On Tuesday, fifth September 2023, the Russian Embassy within the UK shared an image of the destroyed tank from its X deal with and wrote within the caption “Wasted”.

Wasted. pic.twitter.com/AJz6D7szBR

— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) September 5, 2023

The image posted by the Russian Embassy additionally talked about that the destruction of the Challenger 2 tank – a closely armored, extremely cell tank, designed to interact and destroy different tanks, and fitted with a rifled gun – has price the British taxpayers 4.2 million kilos.

Challenger 2 is a third-generation British Main Battle Tank (MBT). it’s at present in service with the armed forces of UK, Oman and Ukraine (equipped by the UK).

With the picture of the destroyed tank, believed to be very costly and superior, the Russian Embassy tried to remind the British residents that whereas they battle for primary healthcare and power provides, their tax cash is being spent on a ‘futile’ try and battle in opposition to Russian forces on international soil.

During the continued conflict with Russian forces, a British-supplied tank supplied to Ukraine was destroyed. This marks a major occasion, doubtless the primary time a Challenger 2 tank has been destroyed resulting from enemy motion. The earlier identified occasion of such a closely armored battle automobile being destroyed was believed to have occurred resulting from a pleasant hearth in Iraq again in 2003. A video circulating on the web depicts the charred stays of the tank.

Widely shared footage on social media shows one of many 14 tanks supplied by the UK to Kyiv in January, located on the roadside with thick gray smoke billowing from it and flames erupting. The actual reason behind the tank’s destruction was not confirmed by Ukrainian forces, however it’s identified that the Ukrainian crew inside the tank survived the assault. However, there have been completely different claims in regards to the mode of destruction of this tank.

According to a report by BBC, the British-made and equipped Challenger 2 tank in Ukraine was initially rendered motionless resulting from a mine explosion. This explosion ignited a fireplace within the rear gasoline tank, prompting the Ukrainian crew of 4 to soundly evacuate the tank. Subsequently, whereas the now-empty tank remained immobilized, it grew to become a goal for a Russian Lancet loitering drone, which finally destroyed it.

Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-appointed official overseeing a part of the southern Zaporizhzhia area at present underneath Moscow’s management, posted on Telegram {that a} Challenger 2 tank had been engulfed in flames throughout fight close to the southeastern village of Robotyne. According to Rogov, this tank was initially meant for deployment to Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. However, it was as a substitute destroyed on what he described because the foremost line of Russia’s defence. He posted a video on Telegram depicting a tank seemingly on hearth on a roadside, with thick gray smoke billowing from the scene.

In January 2023, the UK supplied Ukraine with 14 Challenger 2 tanks. These tanks, constructed within the late Nineties, stay amongst Ukraine’s most up to date and proficient tank belongings, alongside the German-made Leopard 2 tanks. Ukrainian tank crews underwent coaching to function them in March. The provision of Challenger 2 tanks constitutes a part of the UK’s £28 million help package deal, which was introduced firstly of the yr.

So far, the UK has prolonged army help value £4.6 billion to Ukraine. Out of this, army support value £2.3 billion was supplied in 2022. Russia has now reminded the UK taxpayers in regards to the prices born by them due to NATO’s help of Ukraine in opposition to Russia.