Circumstances of loss of M1 Abrams tank. After action review
Full information on the circumstances of the loss of the M1Abrams tank and the actions of the 47th Mechanized Brigade command. After action review
1. Organizational issues.
A) According to the commanders, the tank was equipped with an electronic warfare system, but for some reason, it did not work, it is impossible to find out why, but it is possible that the enemy changed the frequencies for controlling drones, and the electronic warfare system did not provide cover at these frequencies. Electronic warfare equipment for tanks that would guarantee protection is not routinely supplied, you have to look for it and do it at your own expense, and drones are constantly changing and outpacing the development of electronic warfare equipment, which is a common problem.
B) For a long time, they have been trying to install framings and braziers on Abrams tanks, but so far without success. This is due to the design of the tank and its armor. They are still trying to solve the problem. But the alternative is either to keep combat-ready tanks in the rear or to stop the Russian offensive by all possible means. Of course, we have to risk our equipment.
The 47th Brigade made efforts to defend Abrams, but it failed due to certain technical circumstances.
2. Tactical issues.
As I wrote right away, the actions of the 47th Brigade Command have their own logic.
During a battle on February 26 in the village of Berdychi, the enemy broke through the combat formations of a neighboring brigade from the flank. There was a threat that a group of infantrymen from the 47th Brigade would be cut off from their own and surrounded. An immediate counterattack was needed to destroy the groups of Russians who had entered the rear of our position. The risks of the mission were high for the tank, but the lives of the soldiers were more important than the equipment. Thanks to the actions of the crew of Abrams, Bradley, artillery and drone strikes of the 47th Brigade, two Russian assault groups were destroyed, and our infantrymen withdrew. Abrams was lost. The difficult situation justified actions at the tactical level.
The question of using Abrams is not only a question for the 47th Brigade, but also for the higher command.
It is impossible to properly use Abrams in this place from the heights, as the heights in Avdiivka and at the coke plant are controlled by the enemy, and the 47th Brigade was assigned a zone of responsibility in the lowlands.
But it is impossible to ban the use of Abrams for counterattacks, because the infantry must be supported by armored vehicles. The 47th Brigade is now on one of the main strike lines of the Russian army in Donbas, and the enemy is constantly throwing new forces into frontal attacks, and these continuous attacks must be stopped by all available means.
If we count the losses of equipment and infantry, the Russians are losing many times more in this area, and a great deal of credit for this goes to Ukrainian soldiers on American armored vehicles.
Yurii Butusov, Censor.NET
