Russia Seizes NATO Weapons in Kursk as Ukraine Collapses
Russian media has reported that Russia seizes NATO weapons in Kursk, after Ukraine’s forces were forced to withdraw from the area. The retreat, which began in late February, has left behind a significant amount of advanced military equipment provided by Western allies, including Bushmaster armored vehicles, Abrams tanks, and M777 howitzers.
Since the deployment of Russia’s top UAV combat unit to cut off Ukraine’s supply lines, Kiev has been encircled, and Ukrainian forces have struggled to maintain their positions, leading to the abandonment of vital NATO weapons on the battlefield.
NATO Weapons Abandoned in Kursk as Ukraine Collapses
Russian media has published images and a detailed list of weapons left behind in Kursk when Ukraine retreated from the area, including advanced military equipment aided by NATO countries.
Since late February, when Russia’s top UAV combat unit was deployed to Kursk to sever Ukraine’s supply lines, Kiev has been encircled. This forced Ukrainian forces to abandon many positions and withdraw from various areas.
With Russia blocking major routes, Ukraine has often been compelled to retreat in small groups under cover of night, leaving behind heavy weaponry, including NATO-supplied military gear. Some weapons were too damaged to retrieve, while others were simply abandoned in haste.
Russian media outlets have compiled a list of the most advanced weapons that Ukraine left behind in Kursk during its chaotic withdrawal.
Bushmaster Armored Vehicle
Australia has delivered around 120 Bushmaster armored vehicles to Ukraine. According to Sputnik News, Ukraine lost over 25 of these vehicles during its retreat from Kursk.
BMC Kirpi II Mine-Resistant Armored Vehicle
More than 200 Turkish-made BMC Kirpi II MRAP (mine-resistant, ambush-protected) vehicles were sent to Ukraine, but many were destroyed, damaged, or captured by Russian forces, as reported by Russian media.
US M2A2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles
Over 300 US M2A2 infantry fighting vehicles were supplied to Ukraine. Nearly half of these vehicles were destroyed or incapacitated in battle, according to open-source intelligence platform Oryx. This 33-ton vehicle is considered one of the best for its mobility, protection, and heavy firepower, armed with a high-velocity 25mm cannon.
M777 Howitzers
One-third of the 180 US-made M777 155mm howitzers sent to Ukraine have been lost, damaged, or abandoned, with one recently captured intact by Russian forces in Kursk, according to Sputnik News.
T-64 Tank
The T-64 tank is one of the most powerful battle tanks in the Ukrainian arsenal, equipped with advanced reactive armor and anti-tank missile launchers. Russia has captured several of these tanks on the Kursk battlefield.
Cossack-7 Armored Vehicle
The Cossack-7 is a Ukrainian-made armored vehicle that can be armed with mortars, radars, and anti-tank missiles. Some of these vehicles were lost during the retreat from Kursk.
M1 Abrams Tanks
The US has recently transferred 31 export versions of the M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, with 20 of them reportedly lost. One was captured intact by Russian forces during the retreat from Kursk.
Leopard 1 AVLB Biber (Armored Bridge-Laying Vehicle)
Over 30 Leopard 1 AVLB Biber armored bridge-laying vehicles were supplied to Ukraine. One such vehicle was recently discovered in good condition on the Kursk front.
Stryker Armored Vehicles
More than 400 Canadian-made Stryker armored vehicles were sent to Ukraine. According to Russian reports, at least 55 of them have been destroyed in battle, many of which were left behind during the retreat from Kursk.
HMMWV (Humvee)
The US delivered 5,000 HMMWVs (Humvees) to Ukraine, many of which have been destroyed or captured by Russian forces on the Kursk battlefield, as reported by Sputnik News.
MAXXPRO Armored Vehicles
The US also supplied around 440 MAXXPRO mine-resistant armored vehicles to Ukraine. At least 197 of these vehicles were destroyed, many during the fierce fighting in Kursk.
M113 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs)
Over 1,000 M113 armored personnel carriers (APCs) were delivered to Ukraine by the US and its allies. Russia claims to have destroyed approximately 300 of them, many of which were abandoned during the retreat from Kursk.
BATT UMG Armored Vehicles
Ukraine received 116 BATT UMG armored vehicles from the US, with some destroyed on the Kursk battlefield.
“Road of Death” Appears as Ukraine Retreats Chaotically from Kursk
Read more about the latest developments on the Kursk front from BBC
For more details on NATO’s support to Ukraine, visit the official NATO website.
Learn more about the Bushmaster armored vehicle from Defence Technology
