A Hundred Wrecked Tanks In A Hundred Hours As Ukraine Guts Russia’s Best Tank Army

Half of the best tank division in the Russian army was destroyed in the counteroffensive by the Ukrainian army.

A hundred tanks were wrecked or captured in a short period of time. The Russian 4th Guards Tank Division, part of the 1st Guards Tank Army, was destroyed by the Ukrainians.

To preserve what is left of its front-line divisions, the 1stGTA is retreating north. The tank army has been damaged in the war in Ukraine.

One of the most prestigious of Russia's armies was allocated for the defense of Moscow and intended to lead counterattacks in the event of a war with NATO. Russia will likely take a long time to rebuild this capability.

Since the beginning, the 1st GTA has been fighting. Russia initially wanted to oust the Ukrainian government after widening its war in the country. After the Ukrainians won the battle for Kyiv, the 1stGTA led the retreat.

Two of the 4th GTD and two of the 2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division were redeployed to the front around Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine.

After five months, the 1st gats didn't make good all their losses. Heavy casualties were suffered in the initial phase of the invasion before the Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kharkiv.

In a desperate attempt to blunt a Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kherson Oblast that began on August 30th, some elements of the 1st GTA moved to southernUkraine.

The 4th GTD and 2nd GMRD were cut off from reliable logistical support due to Ukrainian strikes on Russian supply lines and lack of air support.

Outside the city of Izium, the Ukrainian 4th tank brigade hit the Russian 4th GTD with their T-72s and T-64s. Around 90 T-80U tanks were lost by the Russian division when it retreated north towards the Russian border.

The division would have half the tanks it needs. The Ukrainians were able to repair many of the T-80U intact and send them back into battle.

The 4th GTD and 2nd GMRD probably aren't fit for further fighting. They can reconstitute, but with whom? The Kremlin is having a hard time finding people. After writing off more than a thousand tanks, the Russians may need years to bring them back up to strength.

The Ukrainian army has more tanks now than it did before the counteroffensives began, as it has captured more Russian tanks than it has lost.