Espreso. Global
Review

New tanks to provide Ukraine with qualitative changes on the battlefield - military expert Zgurets

26 January, 2023 Thursday
14:07

US President Joe Biden confirms his intention to transfer 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a $400 million deal

client/title.list_title

The US and Germany confirmed the provision of tanks to Ukraine

We can confidently say that January 25 is a tank day for Ukraine. This day provides us with qualitative changes on the front line, taking into account the supply of new weapons. US President Joe Biden confirms his intention to transfer 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a $400 million deal. President Biden stated that this decision was coordinated with allies and that this assistance would be complemented by other military aid packages. Together with the tanks, the United States will provide training for the Ukrainian military and spare parts. Biden noted that this will take some time, which will be used to integrate Western tanks into the Ukrainian army. More details about the tank package were not said. There is preliminary information that the tanks will be transferred as part of the initiative to promote the security of Ukraine. It provides for the purchase of weapons directly from the manufacturer and not from the reserves of the US Army. This will affect the delivery time of tanks.

Such a step from the United States was probably necessary to push Germany's decision to hand over its Leopard tanks. It happened on January 25. Germany announced that it accepts the decision to transfer its Leopard tanks to Ukraine. We are talking about a tank company of 14 tanks and permission to re-export Leopard tanks from other countries, which can be transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In general, we were talking about 2 tank battalions and the fact that 80 cars will be transferred. One battalion will be formed on Leopard 2A6 tanks, which today are considered the most modern regarding technological embodiments that are implemented in weapons systems. Another battalion will be formed with Leopard 2A4 tanks, which are slightly different. But they are still very good compared to the tanks that will operate on the battlefield.

German tanks will be delivered to Ukraine, as announced, by the end of April. Berlin also undertakes to provide Ukraine with spare parts and ammunition. It ensures the training of Ukrainian crews. All this affects the tanks' increase tanks in the Ukrainian army.

If we count the promised tanks from the UK (14 Challengers) and also mention the 120 T-72 tanks that are currently being repaired and modernized in the Czech Republic, we can talk about 250 tanks that could come to Ukraine. We understand that these are the first steps, and then there will be more Leopard and Abrams tanks.

Viktor Kevliuk, an expert at the Center for Defense Strategies, believes that owning equipment such as the Abrams tank also involves obtaining complex logistics systems because this tank is whimsical in maintenance. In addition to crew training, all repair, maintenance, and support specialists need to be trained. The Leopard tanks are more mass-produced vehicles that were created in the late 1980s as a system that could be maintained by any European country with NATO membership. Accordingly, the training of crews and repairmen took place according to a single model. If we were accepted to this club, providing such vehicles, we have good prospects.

The situation in the Donetsk region

Kevliuk noted that the Russian capture of Bakhmut does not change much and gives little advantage to Russia in tactical terms. The one who owns the Bakhmut agglomeration protects the northern and north-western approaches to Donetsk, nothing more. Bakhmut is attractive to Russia and is ready to throw resources in unlimited quantities. Russia climbs into the meat grinder, why doesn't the Ukrainian Armed Forces turn this meat grinder? The only problem for us is the number of Russian resources, which requires us to spend a huge amount of ammunition. If our allies continue to support us, and they will support us, then we will continue to hold our positions.

The Defense Strategies Center expert noted that to understand the picture of the enemy's actions in different areas, it should be remembered that the enemy held combat reconnaissance in the area of the Vuhledar ledge, but without solving their problems in the area of Lyman, Bilohorivka, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Russian troops will not be able to physically capture the entire Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It should also be remembered that the enemy does not have the physical capability to conduct more than one large-scale offensive operation at a time. The 155th Marine Brigade of the Russian forces attacked the area of Vuhledar, trying to break through the defense from the left and right flanks. However, they did not use sufficient force for this. A reinforced company and two platoons on armored vehicles, that is, up to 400 people. This is not an offensive, but an attempt to find a weak area in our defense.

Simulation of an offensive in the Zaporizhzhia direction

As for Zaporizhzhia, Russia has a grouping of about 25-28 battalion tactical groups of varying degrees of manning. This group is supported by approximately 10 artillery divisions. In the interests of this group, 3-4 squadrons of Army Aviation periodically operate from airfields in Crimea.

There was information that Russia had seized Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Novoandriivka, Bilohirya, Mali Shcherbaki and Shcherbaki. But today Russia reported that it shelled these settlements with artillery. Then how should this be understood? If they have captured them, then apparently these villages are theirs, why are they firing at them themselves? We conclude that Russia, having failed near Bakhmut and in the Kreminna area, is trying to somehow block these negative information sources with some strange and completely unpromising actions in the Vuhledar and Zaporizhzhia directions. That's all you need to know about Russia's activity in the Zaporizhzhia direction.

The threat of an offensive in the Lyman direction

Viktor Kevliuk noted that his concern is caused by the accumulation of resources by Russia in the Luhansk region. Most likely, we should expect the Russian offensive in the Lyman direction.

Two divisions of the Russian Airborne Forces are being transferred there. They have already arrived and partially entered the battle. Quite powerful forces of the 20th Russian Combined Arms Army are concentrated there, and the 2nd Taman division is being transferred there from Belarus. All this is happening in a situation of secrecy. There are very few reports about this. Since measures are being taken to ensure the security of the operation, it is clear that Russia is preparing, albeit locally, a counteroffensive operation.

Kevliuk stated a counteroffensive operation in the Lyman direction can be prepared by Russia within about two weeks, but Russian forces can prepare a major offensive operation by the end of May-beginning of June.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Monday
12 May
21:55
Exclusive
Putin's intimidation works if Europe fails on sanctions, analyst warns
21:40
Exclusive
Russia may launch hybrid operation in Baltics within months, analyst warns
21:22
Exclusive
Trump will spin Ukraine ceasefire as victory to claim global win — politician
21:04
Taiwan joins Ukraine demining coalition, pledges $2 million
20:50
'Ready for direct talks with Putin': Zelenskyy speaks with Erdoğan
20:35
Russian-occupied Crimea has higher air defense density than many Russian regions — Ukrainian Navy
20:21
Zelenskyy signs law ratifying minerals agreement with U.S.
20:06
Exclusive
Putin may stage major provocation during Turkey talks — Ukrainian lawmaker
19:47
OPINION
China supports 30-day ceasefire: what does this mean?
19:30
Exclusive
German Chancellor Merz to consult Washington on sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine — journalist
19:14
EU threatens Nord Stream 2 sanctions if Russia refuses ceasefire
18:58
Trump considers attending Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul on May 15
18:40
Exclusive
Putin won't go to Turkey, war will likely last at least until autumn — political analyst
18:23
Russia's new Banderol cruise missile: Chinese engine, foreign parts exposed
18:05
69 clashes reported at front: Russian forces shell Sumy region, attempt breakthrough near Chasiv Yar
18:01
Updated
'Agreed to take ambitious measures to reduce Russia's ability to wage war': joint statement from Weimar+ meeting participants
17:48
'Either Russia is serious about peace, or we must impose more sanctions': Macron announces call with Zelenskyy
17:29
OPINION
Zelenskyy’s Istanbul visit poses risk to European alliance
17:12
Exclusive
Over 1 million Russian citizens relocated to Crimea in 11 years of occupation — Crimean Tatar leader
16:54
Ukrainian maritime corridor handles 120 million tons of cargo, over 28 million this year
16:17
OPINION
Putin stops only where he’s stopped
16:13
Updated
Germany threatens sanctions if Russia refuses ceasefire. Kremlin responds
15:51
No talks under fire: Kallas accuses Russia of "playing games" over negotiations
15:22
Updated
Poland shuts Russian consulate in Krakow over Moscow-linked arson attack
15:14
Russian attack on energy workers' vehicle in Sumy region kills one, injures several
14:57
China signals willingness to join international efforts for long-term peace in Ukraine
14:37
OPINION
Battle for Istanbul
14:16
Zelenskyy holds first conversation with newly elected Pope, plans personal meeting
13:56
EU to give Ukraine €900 million in weapons funding from frozen Russian asset profits
13:35
"Ukraine for peace, not its imitation" – Zelenskyy's aide on talks without ceasefire
13:12
Review
Russia expands military bases near NATO borders: preparing for war or strategic pressure?
12:41
Exclusive
Russia faces crisis that "can't be fixed", analyst says
12:15
Exclusive
“We didn’t feel the truce” — commander with Ukraine’s 92nd Brigade
11:42
Ukraine war documentary wins BAFTA TV Award. Full list of winners
11:14
Exclusive
Key step taken in legal process for special tribunal on Russia’s aggression, says expert
10:57
Russia’s Banderol missile contains foreign-made components — Ukrainian intel
10:35
France slams Russian fake claim about Macron, Merz, and Starmer over 'drug' napkin
10:14
Russia loses 1,170 soldiers, 8 tanks, 48 artillery systems in one day of war in Ukraine
09:57
Russian drones strike Odesa region, leave one injured in Donetsk region
09:34
Zelenskyy vows to meet Putin personally in Turkey
More news