U.S.-Supplied M1 Tanks Withdrawn from Battlefield in Ukraine

April 26, 2024 (EIRNS)—An illustrative example of how NATO “wonder weapons” bite the dust in Ukraine is the U.S.-supplied M1 Abrams tank, 31 of which the U.S. sent to the Ukrainian army late in 2023. U.S. defense officials, briefing on background, told reporters at the Pentagon yesterday that the tanks have been withdrawn from the battlefield because effective Russian use of drones has made it impossible for them to operate without being destroyed. The drones have made it more difficult for Ukraine to protect the tanks when they are quickly detected and hunted by Russian drones or rounds. Five of the 31 tanks have already been lost to Russian attacks (the Russians have claimed that one of those was defeated by a Russian T-72 tank using its gun). The proliferation of drones on the Ukrainian battlefield means “there isn’t open ground that you can just drive across without fear of detection,” a senior defense official said.