Kurakhove and Pokrovsk battles, Russia's tank inventory. Serhiy Zgurets' column

Western tank deliveries for Ukraine

The Dutch Defense Ministry reported that by the end of summer, Ukraine is expected to receive Leopard 2A4 tanks, which were jointly purchased with Denmark from an unspecified third country. These tanks have been extensively refurbished at the Rheinmetall facility. The deal involves 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks, 12 of which are already en route to Ukraine, with two more undergoing testing. This contract was effectively realized in a year and four months, exemplifying the lengthy process of restoring and supplying various armaments to the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Additionally, Ukraine is currently awaiting the arrival of 19 more Leopard 2A4 tanks from Spain, adding to the 10 tanks that Spain has already delivered to the Armed Forces.

It is worth noting that in April 2023, there were reports about the transfer of about one hundred Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but some deliveries are still in progress. Amid this, the remarks of Volodymyr Zelenskyy are entirely understandable, emphasizing that Ukraine has 14 brigades still waiting for weaponry from Western partners, and those of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, who highlighted that Russia currently has a one-to-two or one-to-three advantage in terms of weaponry. Therefore, the delivery of arms from partners is critically needed, and timely delivery is even more crucial.

How many tanks remain in Russia

What about Russian tanks? According to Syrskyi, since 2022, the number of Russian tanks within the occupying forces has doubled from 1,700 to 3,500. Meanwhile, since the invasion, Ukraine's Armed Forces have destroyed over 8,000 tanks, according to the General Staff. Notably, one day ago, 11 tanks were destroyed.

What are the Russian reserves? Recent satellite images analyzed by foreign agencies indicate that at the beginning of the full-scale operations, around 6,000 tanks were stored in bases. As of today, 40% of the tanks from these bases have already been removed; there are no T-90s or T-80s left, and a significant portion of T-72s have been taken. These tanks are now scarce. Currently, we see more instances of the Russian forces resorting to restoring and supplying T-52 and T-62 tanks to their troops. It is estimated that Russia is retrieving about 60 tanks per month for restoration, whereas previously they retrieved up to 100 units. This decrease is because the tanks in good condition have already been taken, and the remaining ones are extremely difficult to repair.

Under these circumstances, the Russian forces have begun to conserve their tanks, which is evident along the entire front line, although there are exceptions. Such an exception is related to the mass destruction of Russian tanks, particularly in the Kurakhove direction, where the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade launched an attack. In total, 11 tanks, 45 infantry fighting vehicles with troops, even one BMP-T Terminator, and 12 motorcyclists attempted to attack Ukrainian positions. Initially, enemy targets were identified using aerial reconnaissance, followed by artillery, drones, and anti-tank weapons. The Russians then moved onto minefields, where they continued to lose their armored vehicles. Ultimately, Ukrainian paratroopers knocked out 6 tanks and 7 infantry fighting vehicles. All 12 motorcyclists were killed, with a total of 40 Russian soldiers killed and another 37 wounded.

In the Kurakhove direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding off the Russian forces in the areas of Krasnohorivka, Kostiantynivka, and Paraskoviivka, where there were 32 enemy attacks, all of which were repelled.

Situation between the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk directions

An officer of the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, named after Yakiv Handziuk, Serhiy Tsekhotskyi, reported that very heavy fighting is ongoing between the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk directions.

"In Krasnohorivka, there are extremely heavy battles as the Russian forces constantly try to advance, sending in their infantry, which is continuously destroyed. Yesterday morning, we prevented a breakthrough—about a dozen and a half Russian soldiers were spotted in time, and the command reacted very quickly. Perhaps only three of them crawled away; we counted, the rest remained there. Additionally, the Russian tactics are constantly changing. Sometimes they attack with armored vehicles in one place, then in another—purely with infantry. The offensive has been ongoing for two weeks straight across the entire front line—simultaneously and continuously. We have to be very vigilant. Our aerial reconnaissance is working, especially in the semi-destroyed buildings. As soon as we see them entering, an FPV drone is immediately targeted there," explained Tsekhotskyi.

The serviceman explained that the Russian forces maintain various units in these directions—some are well-trained, and some are not. Specifically, the Russian Somali assault battalion, which has been fighting for several years, is operating in these directions. Each group and some of the enemy’s equipment have electronic warfare devices and other equipment: "The weapons fire regardless of how well-trained they are, but they are still dangerous. Especially the mobilized troops we see and hear in intercepted communications show that their training and preparation periods are short—which works to our advantage.”

Syrskyi sent military law enforcement to investigate losses in the 59th Brigade

On July 15, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi ordered an inspection of the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade regarding their losses, involving the Chief of the Military Law Enforcement Service.

An officer emphasized that the inspections are nearly complete.

"They checked everything possible, primarily the activities of the brigade and battalion commanders. I believe the results will be announced by those authorized to do so, and we are all waiting for them. I hope they will be objective and realistic. Meanwhile, we continue to perform our tasks and hold the front, destroying Russian equipment, supplies, weapons, and personnel every day," he explained.

Previously, Syrskyi stated that the military does not defend ruins to the death. When asked if the brigade maintains a balance, Tsekhotskyi said, "Balance lies in justice throughout society. If justice prevails over everything else—meaning, those who can buy their way out of service, avoid defense duties, and not support the Ukrainian Defense Forces who are sacrificing their health and lives on the battlefield, then we have a problem. The reaction of some individuals in society, like that fitness trainer in Odesa and others on TikTok saying 'I hope you all die,' should not exist. Civil society must understand that men and women here are sacrificing their lives and health for Ukraine's survival and continued history. Thanks to this, we can speak Ukrainian today, and our children have a future. That is justice. If every soldier feels their home front is protected and they won't be spat on or insulted when they return, there will be fewer losses because they will be confident in what they are doing, and there won't be such a negative reaction when losses occur.”

Mobilization in the 59th Brigade

The recruitment of new soldiers is ongoing, explains an officer. This is very important, as the fighters, after two and a half years of intense warfare, are also tired and want to rest, to go home for at least 5-10 days to recover with their families.

"Understand, when there is no one to replace you, it becomes difficult. You have to endure, and physically you just can't fall asleep. Leaves and regular vacations are mandatory; there are also leaves for family reasons, no issues there. The main thing is, for someone to go on leave, someone else has to stay behind. So, if someone can joke around, skip work, or slack off at their job—nothing happens. But here, there is an immediate reaction, an immediate response, and a result. That's why the work is hard," he explained.

The 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Yakiv Handziuk is raising funds for workshops that equip new Mavic and FPV drones with explosives to destroy Russian forces. Ukrainians are asked to contribute.