Ukraine has decided to temporarily sideline the U.S.-provided Abrams M1A1 battle tanks in its conflict with Russia due to the increasing challenges posed by Russian drone warfare, according to two U.S. military officials. The decision comes after the tanks, costing approximately $10 million each, were sent to Ukraine in January 2023 to bolster its offensive capabilities against Russian forces.
The use of Russian surveillance drones and hunter-killer drones has significantly altered the battlefield dynamics, making it harder for Ukraine to effectively deploy and protect the tanks. Five out of the 31 tanks sent to Ukraine have already been lost to Russian attacks, highlighting the risks involved.
