Russians call the Leopard 2A6 technologically inferior to their tanks, but losses tell a different story

Russian experts have analysed a Leopard 2A6 tank captured at the front and declared that Russian vehicles are superior to Western tanks. However, the statistics of losses indicate the opposite.

Here's What We Know

According to the TASS news agency, which cites the Rostec concern, the Leopard 2A6 is allegedly inferior to Russian T-72B3M, T-80BVM and T-90M tanks. Rostec has emphasised the upgrades to its vehicles, which include all-round protection against drones and anti-tank weapons. As an example, they cite cases where Russian tanks allegedly withstood many hits and remained combat-ready.

At the same time, the report mentions that Russian troops regularly destroy Western armoured vehicles, including Leopard 2s. According to the Russian side, one of these tanks was destroyed last week near Stepanivka in Donetsk region.

However, these claims are propaganda: Russian tanks have indeed suffered serious losses since the start of the full-scale invasion. According to the Oryx project, which records visually confirmed losses of equipment, Russia has lost at least 4,000 tanks, including at least 769 T-72B3s, 221 T-80BVMs, and 189 T-90s of various versions, including the latest T-90Ms.

For comparison, the losses of Ukrainian tanks of Western production are recorded at a much lower level: 22 Leopard 2A6s, 26 Leopard 2A4s, 22 Abrams M1A1s and 2 Challenger 2s. Moreover, according to some estimates, Oryx's data may be overstated due to duplication of the same destroyed vehicles.

Russia's widespread use of anti-drone "dodgers", cage superstructures and jammers demonstrates adaptation, but is not a sign of technological superiority. Such defences are often ineffective against modern precision drones and munitions.

Source: Defence24