Russia likely lost 50% of its tanks in Ukraine war – Pentagon
Russian tank (Photo:REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko)
Russia may have lost about half of its main battle tanks in the war against Ukraine, according to U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander, U.S. state-owned news agency the Voice of America reported on Feb. 10.
Wallander said Russia’s military capabilities have deteriorated significantly. This is especially true of the Russian ground forces, about 80% of which has been involved in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia's naval capabilities are in a better condition, and some gaps, particularly in drones, are being filled by Iran, she said.
Wallander added that Moscow relies almost entirely on human resources. However, despite the losses and weakening, Russia is learning to adapt and applying lessons from its failures in Ukraine.
"Even in the face of a strategic loss in Ukraine, Russia will remain a military power, so we have to properly assess plans, operations, and capabilities to cope…” the U.S. official said.
“We have to make sure we also learn lessons and stay ahead.”
On Feb. 9, the U.S. Institute for the Study of War, citing analysts from the open-source intelligence group Oryx, reported that the Russian invaders had lost 1,012 tanks during the full-scale war against Ukraine.
At least 546 more Russian tanks were captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
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