Ukrainian tank ambushes Russian convoy in strategic victory
The Operational-Strategic Grouping of Forces "Khortytsia" has published a video of a battle that occurred in the Donetsk region. Ukrainians, using a Leopard 2A4 tank, destroyed at least five Russian armoured vehicles.
From the video material and description shared on social media, it is evident that the Leopard 2A4 belonged to the Ukrainian 33rd Mechanized Brigade. To eliminate the enemy, which had a significant numerical advantage, the Ukrainian tank crew aimed to maximize the effectiveness of their equipment while also utilizing the terrain and surrounding buildings for cover.
Leopard 2A4 destroyed a column of Russian equipment
"The crew of the Ukrainian Leopard 2A4 tank destroyed a Russian armoured column. The enemy column was moving along a dirt road near a forest strip when it was fired upon by the Leopard's gun. Our tank manoeuvred and provided direct fire from behind the cover of houses located in the village, which the enemy was attempting to overrun," the Ukrainians wrote in their account.
The Russians fell into an ambush and were caught completely by surprise. As a result, their vehicles were hit one by one, with some taking multiple hits.
Leopard 2A4 in Ukrainian service
Leopard 2A4s are among the most numerous NATO tanks in the Ukrainian army. These machines were produced in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
As such, they have certain limitations and are outpaced by newer designs. However, in Ukraine, where older Soviet-era tanks still dominate the battlefield, the Leopard 2A4s perform very well. They have already been praised by many Ukrainian soldiers, including tankers from the 155th Mechanized Brigade.
German designers equipped them with a Rheinmetall L/44 smoothbore gun, calibre 120 mm. In addition, the Leopard 2A4 tanks are fitted with the EMES 15 fire control system with thermal imaging, ensuring that in terms of offensive capabilities, they remain effective today and surpass most Soviet-era tanks.
The auxiliary armament in these German tanks includes 7.62 mm machine guns and a smoke grenade launcher. They are powered by engines with 1500 horsepower, allowing the Leopard 2A4s to reach a maximum speed of about 70 km/h (43 mph).
