Ukraine now has only a handful of its U.S.-supplied M1 Abrams tanks remaining, following months of heavy combat and targeted strikes by Russian forces, according to multiple reports.
Most U.S.-Donated Abrams Tanks Destroyed or Captured
The Russian state-run RIA Novosti reported that only five Abrams tanks remain combat-capable in Ukraine’s arsenal, from the original 31 units delivered by the United States in September 2023. Since the start of 2024, the Russian military claims to have destroyed 26 Abrams tanks, with some reportedly seized during battlefield operations.
One of the first confirmed losses occurred on February 26, 2024, near Avdiivka, where Russian forces disabled an Abrams tank belonging to Ukraine’s “Center” task force.
Tanks Withdrawn Due to Vulnerability
In March 2025, The New York Times cited Ukrainian military sources confirming that 19 Abrams tanks had been destroyed or heavily damaged. The remaining tanks were pulled back from the front lines due to their high vulnerability to Russian drones and artillery, the report said.
Independent analysis from Dutch intelligence group Oryx confirmed that at least 22 Abrams tanks were visually verified as lost by the end of 2024.
Russian Forces Capture Abrams Tanks
Just last week, the Russian Defense Ministry released footage allegedly showing the capture of two intact Abrams tanks during an operation in Ukraine’s Sumy region. The tanks were reportedly recovered by the 22nd Motorized Rifle Regiment after reconnaissance teams secured the area.
The display of captured Abrams tanks at the Army-2024 military exhibition in Moscow has further fueled Russia’s messaging about the perceived ineffectiveness of Western military aid to Ukraine.
U.S. Officials and Experts Reevaluate Abrams Effectiveness
When President Joe Biden approved the transfer of Abrams tanks in January 2023, the move was hailed in U.S. media as a “game-changer”. However, the tanks have not delivered a strategic advantage on the battlefield.
By late 2023, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, warned that the Abrams tanks would likely not survive prolonged combat. Former U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan later admitted the tanks were “not useful” for Ukraine’s operational needs.
Technical Shortcomings of the Export Abrams Variant
Despite being considered one of the most advanced tanks in the world, the export variant of the M1 Abrams delivered to Ukraine lacks the modern depleted uranium armor used by U.S. forces. This makes them more susceptible to modern anti-tank weapons, drones, and precision artillery.
Gustav Gressel, a military analyst with the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), commented that as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drone warfare evolve, traditional heavy armor is increasingly ineffective. This trend has placed the Abrams and similar tanks at a disadvantage in the dynamic modern battlefield.
Moscow’s Response and Continued Criticism of Western Arms Supplies
Russia continues to criticize the West’s supply of advanced weaponry to Ukraine, claiming that it escalates the conflict and delays a political resolution. According to Russian officials, these arms deliveries lead only to greater casualties without changing the strategic landscape.
Conclusion
The near-total loss of Abrams tanks in Ukraine raises critical questions about the effectiveness of traditional armored warfare in the age of drones and precision-guided munitions. As the war evolves, so too does the nature of military technology and the strategies both sides must adopt.
