In a significant setback for Ukrainian forces, the retreat from the Kursk region in western Russia has resulted in the abandonment of some of Ukraine’s most advanced Western-supplied weapons, according to Forbes.
The withdrawal, which occurred under the cover of darkness earlier this week, left Ukrainian troops with damaged or immobile equipment, including M1 Abrams tanks, M2 Bradley fighting vehicles, and M777 howitzers.
Battle for Kursk region
The Ukrainian troops in Sudzha, the major town in the Kursk region, had been under intense pressure for weeks. On February 25, an elite Russian drone unit, the Rubicon Centre of Advanced Unmanned Systems, launched a devastating attack on Ukrainian supply lines.
Using advanced drone tactics, including coordinated ambushes with multiple explosive drones, Rubicon destroyed hundreds of Ukrainian vehicles, crippling the garrison’s ability to resupply and defend its positions.
By early March, the situation had become untenable. Facing encirclement and starvation of supplies, the 10,000-strong Ukrainian force, comprising multiple heavy brigades, was forced to retreat. In their haste, they abandoned significant amounts of heavy equipment, much of which fell into Russian hands.
Key losses
The United States donated 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine in 2023, equipping a battalion within the elite 47th Mechanised Brigade. At least 10, and possibly as many as 19, Abrams tanks have been damaged or destroyed, with one left behind in the Kursk region.
The M2 Bradley has proven to be one of the most effective fighting vehicles in the Ukraine war, combining mobility, protection, and firepower. The US sent over 300 Bradleys to Ukraine, distributed across several brigades, including the 47th Mechanised.
Before the retreat, Ukraine had reportedly lost at least 80 Bradleys. The capture of another in Kursk highlights the strain on Ukraine’s armored forces. With no additional Bradleys currently pledged by the US, these losses are particularly concerning.
The M777 howitzer, supplied by the UK and the US, has been a game-changer for Ukraine’s artillery corps since its introduction in 2022. Ukraine has lost at least 55 M777s since the war began, and the capture of an intact howitzer in the Kursk region marks a significant intelligence gain for Russia.
Other abandoned vehicles
Exclusive award for the Russian troops was the German-made Biber bridging vehicle. Constructed on the chassis of the Leopard 1 tank, Biber uses horizontal laying, which provides effective manoeuvrability over a variety of terrain.
Russian media shared images of the captured Ukrainian self-propelled howitzer 2S22 Bohdana and its ammunition.
Other trophies for Russian troops were the Stryker vehicle and the M113 armoured personnel carrier.
Russian forces also secured two US-supplied High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) abandoned by Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region during the retreat.
The retreat from Sudzha and the loss of advanced Western equipment highlight the challenges Ukraine faces in sustaining its defence against a numerically superior Russian force.
Ukraine’s ability to hold its ground depends heavily on continued Western support, particularly in the form of advanced weapons and ammunition. However, political uncertainties in the US, including the temporary halt of aid under the Trump administration, have raised concerns about the sustainability of this support.
