Russia’s Tank Losses in Ukraine Top 4,000, Visual Evidence Confirms

He told senators that Moscow has “significantly” increased its production capacity for some items, such as artillery shells and cruise missiles, and is building “large-scale” single-target attack drones. He noted that Russian ground forces are incorporating reconnaissance and kamikaze drones into their offensive operations on the battlefield.

Ukraine has used a variety of weapons, including unmanned aerial systems, artillery and Javelin missiles, to destroy Russian tanks and other equipment.

Cavoli noted that both sides in the conflict are also conducting long-range attacks, with the Russians deploying cruise missiles and glide bombs and the Ukrainians relying primarily on single-target attack drones.

Cavoli told SASC members that Ukraine has “some indigenously produced cruise missile systems – specifically, I feel like we can discuss in closed session”.

Since the war began, the US has supplied Kiev with a large number of UAS – including the Switchblade and Phoenix Ghost family of systems – to help counter Russian aggression.

Guidelines for Documenting Destroyed and Captured Equipment

This list only includes destroyed vehicles and equipment for which photographic or videographic evidence is available. Therefore, the number of destroyed equipment is much higher than that recorded here. Moving munitions, drones used as unmanned bait, civilian vehicles and abandoned equipment are not included in this list. Every effort has been made to avoid duplicate entries and to distinguish the status of equipment between captured and abandoned. Many entries listed as ‘abandoned’ are captured or destroyed. Similarly, some captured equipment may be destroyed if not recovered. When a vehicle is captured and then lost in service with its new owners, it is added as a loss to the original operator to avoid double listing. When the origin of a piece of equipment cannot be established, it is not included in the list. The Soviet flag is used when the equipment in question was manufactured before 1991. This list is constantly updated as additional footage becomes available.

Russia has lost more than 4,000 tanks in the Ukraine war

According to independent open-source researchers from Oryx Group, which has been tracking military losses since Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine three and a half years ago in February 2022, Russia has lost at least 4,000 tanks.

The open-source analysis was based on photo and video evidence. It also includes destroyed, abandoned and captured Russian tanks. The database only includes confirmed losses of military equipment documented by photos and video, and does not include actual on-the-ground analysts or researchers, so the number could be much higher.

“If the origin of a tank cannot be reliably established, it is not included in the list,” explained the Ukraine-based military.

In total, Orix estimated that more than 22,000 individual Russian platforms, including tanks, armored vehicles, and aircraft, were lost, destroyed, or captured in combat. A year ago, Orix confirmed that nearly 2,000 Russian tanks were considered lost, indicating that more tanks were lost last year than in the previous two years combined.

However, the number of captured tanks has decreased significantly.

Rising Tank Losses at Kursk Highlight Ukraine’s Strategic Strain

According to Orix estimates, Russia has lost about 3,800 tanks since 2022, compared to about 1,100 for Ukraine.

At Kursk, Russian tank losses are about the same as Ukraine’s, challenging Kiev’s advantage.

Ukraine’s dwindling resources and reliance on Western aid are hampering its strategic advantages at Kursk.

Russia appears to have lost far more tanks than Ukraine since Moscow invaded its neighbor three years ago.

Open-source analysts with the Orix collective estimate estimate that Russia has lost about 3,800 tanks destroyed, damaged, abandoned, or captured. The total for Ukraine is about 1,100.

The total includes only destroyed vehicles for which photographic or videographic evidence is available and may be an underestimate.

Russia is closing the gap at Kursk. In the eight-month war that began after Ukrainian forces crossed into Russian territory in August, Ukraine has suffered a higher ratio of tank losses than losses on Ukrainian soil.

Russia lost 66 tanks at Kursk, while Ukraine lost 55 tanks, almost 100% of which are unsustainable for Ukraine.

Why more T-80 BVMs?

Satellite images of the plant taken last year showed T-80s parked, ready to be converted. In April last year, Russia resumed production of the GTD 1,250 gas turbine engine used in the T-80BVM.

Shortly after, the head of Russia’s largest tank manufacturer announced that it was resuming round-the-clock production of T-80 BVMs at its Omsk factory – a sign that Moscow is in for a long-term struggle.

One reason Moscow wants more of the BVM model is that it has the ability to fire depleted uranium rounds, and the US has supplied these to Ukraine for use in the M1 Abrams it has given to Kiev.

Former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, a longtime ally of Vladimir Putin, was filmed visiting the site, where he pledged to increase production to 2,000 tanks per year.

The BVM model includes reactive armor, anti-drone and anti-missile protection grids, and an upgraded fire control system.

But even with this new production stream, Russia is only just making up for its losses – the UK Ministry of Defense estimates that Moscow is losing 100 tanks a month to Ukraine.

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So how many tanks does Russia have left?

It’s almost impossible to find a definitive answer.

Estimates vary widely, but it is believed that Russia had around 6,000 tanks in storage, ranging from T-54s and T-55s.

Reports say that factories like Omsk can refurbish or upgrade around 350 tanks a month, but the quality of production is declining due to sanctions.

What is not clear is how many T-80s are left.

Orix estimates that half of the lost T-80Us were abandoned by their crews, perhaps due to lack of fuel, not destroyed by Ukrainian fire.

Russia’s losses are huge, but Moscow’s budget is much bigger.

It has also adopted its own tactics, attacking infantry by landing rather than using heavy armor.

And Russia is slowly consolidating its position, so the tank loss figure does not tell the whole story.

FAQs

Q1. How many tanks has Russia lost in the Ukraine war?

According to open-source researchers at Oryx Group, Russia has lost more than 4,000 tanks since the war began in February 2022. This number includes destroyed, abandoned and captured tanks, all of which are confirmed by photos or videos. The actual losses could be even higher.

Q2. Why is Russia still building the T-80 BVM tank?

Russia resumed production of the T-80 BVM tank because it can fire powerful depleted uranium rounds and has upgraded armor, anti-drone and anti-missile defenses. Despite the new production, the UK Ministry of Defense says that Russia still loses about 100 tanks per month, so the new tanks help replace losses rather than provide an advantage.

Q3. How is Ukraine coping with Russian tanks?

Ukraine is using drones, artillery, Javelin missiles and US-supplied systems such as the Switchblade and Phoenix Ghost drones. These weapons allow Ukraine to destroy Russian tanks from a distance and gather intelligence on enemy movements.

Q4. Are Russia’s tank losses having an impact on the battlefield?

Yes, Russia’s losses are huge, but Moscow still has a big budget and is changing tactics, such as using infantry and avoiding heavy tank attacks in some areas. Analysts say losses alone don’t tell the full story, but Ukraine’s strategic advantage in hotspots like Kursk is eroding.