Russian forces in the “Yug” military group successfully prevented Ukrainian armed forces from evacuating a damaged German Leopard tank near Avdiivka in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). The tank was targeted by Russian ammunition, known as “Lancet,” after reconnaissance detected efforts to remove it from the battlefield. The 114th separate motorized rifle brigade fighters set the tank ablaze, forcing the crew to abandon it. Ukrainian forces made an attempt to retrieve the tank, but Russian forces used mortars to push them back. Although the tank’s turret was burned, it is unlikely to be repairable. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu revealed that since the summer, Ukrainian Armed Forces have suffered significant losses, including over 90,000 soldiers, around 600 tanks, and nearly 1,900 armored vehicles. Despite these losses, the Ukrainian forces have not achieved any significant successes on the front. This incident highlights the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine and the challenges faced by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
