Russia has flaunted today what it claims to be evidence of the first destroyed British Challenger 2 tank in Ukraine.
Footage filmed from the inside of a vehicle with a cracked windscreen showed the burning wreck of the battle tank – one of the most protected in the world.
It is thought the video was captured just outside the recently-liberated settlement of Robotyne, in the Zaporizhzhia region, where fierce fighting is currently ongoing as part of the counteroffensive in the south.
Black smoke is seen pouring from the charred tank, claimed to have been given to Ukraine by the British Army.
Pro-war Telegram channel Grey Zone wrote: ‘It seems to be the first documented destroyed British Challenger 2 tank in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, namely, the 82nd separate air assault brigade.’
But even watching the footage frame by frame, it is difficult to confirm if the tank is indeed one dispatched by the British forces.
Only the actual gin is clearly visible, while the rest of the machinery is engulfed in flames.
The government initially supplied 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, and then doubled the number to 28, it was announced in May.
The apparent first loss comes just days after the defence ministry highlighted the machine in a video interview with a soldier from the 82nd Brigade.
‘This tank is like a sniper rifle, among all tanks in general,’ he said while standing next to his 69-ton vehicle.
‘It undoubtedly set a world record when it hit a T-55 (a Soviet battle tank) from a distance of more than five kilometres.
‘When you are driving in a T-80 (a Soviet battle tank), you are not sure if you will make even one shot because the loading mechanism might malfunction or some sensor will not work.’
Further describing the capabilities of the British tank, he said it is designed to operate at a long distance and that the range is ‘very precise’.
‘These tanks were made to counter the soviets and simply to destroy machinery,’ the troop added.
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