British Challenger 2 tanks make debut in Ukrainian ambush
Ukrainians have presented the first evidence of the involvement of British Challenger 2 tanks in an operation conducted in the Kursk region. They also revealed that these vehicles were used in an ambush that resulted in the capture of more than 20 enemy soldiers.
The video material was published by the 82nd Air Assault Brigade, one of the most elite units in the Ukrainian army. In the early days of the operation in the Kursk region, there were reports of its participation. However, until now, there has been no confirmation that Challenger 2 tanks were being used.
Challenger 2 in the Kursk region in Russia
Challenger 2 tanks do not frequently appear in frontline reports, making their presence in the material recorded in the Kursk region of Russia even more surprising. The United Kingdom has supplied Ukraine with only 14 of these tanks. According to the creators of the Oryx blog, which documents equipment losses in the conflict, the Russians have eliminated two Challenger 2 tanks.
This third-generation British main battle tank is distinguished primarily by its Chobham/Dorchester multi-layer armour. When the Challenger 2 entered service in 1994, it was reputed to be the toughest tank in the world. It performed well in battles during the Second Gulf War. Before the war in Ukraine, no such tank had ever been destroyed in armed conflict.
Western equipment in the Ukrainian offensive
The Challenger 2 tank's main armament is the 120 mm L30A1 rifled gun. Additionally, the crew has two 7.62 mm machine guns. The engine, with a power of around 1200 hp, allows for a maximum speed of about 56 km/h. The Challenger 2 is over 12 metres long and weighs over 66 tonnes.
In a brief statement issued by the 82nd Air Assault Brigade, it was revealed that Challenger 2 tanks and Stryker armoured personnel carriers participated in the ambush, resulting in the capture of more than 20 enemy soldiers, and many others were eliminated.
The 82nd Air Assault Brigade also utilizes HMMWV multi-purpose vehicles and Stryker M1132 vehicles, specialized variants of the Stryker armoured personnel carrier, in the ongoing offensive in the Kursk region.
Other Ukrainian brigades operating in the area also have access to Western equipment. In the Kursk region, German infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), as well as Marder and Polish Oncilla armored personnel carriers, have also been observed.
