Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the Kursk region in an organized manner, leaving some of their equipment, including elite Western models, to the Russians. Analysts believe that this move may have been dictated by the demands of partners, in particular the United States, although there is no official confirmation of this.
According to Forbes military analyst David Axe, the Ukrainian military acted quickly during the retreat, likely under cover of darkness. But due to limited capabilities to evacuate heavy equipment, some of it had to be abandoned.
Among Ukraine's losses in the Kursk region:
- M-1 Abrams tank – The Ukrainian Armed Forces received 31 of these tanks in 2023, and although most were destroyed or damaged in combat, at least one Abrams was acquired by the Russians in working condition.
- M-2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles – Ukrainians lost at least 80 Bradleys, one of which was likely captured.
- The M-777 self-propelled artillery system is a revolutionary piece of artillery that evolved from outdated Soviet designs. One of these guns may have been the first intact M-777 to fall into Russian hands.
- Total losses of equipment: 500 units (according to Forbes), while Russia lost about 600 vehicles.
Ukraine's official position is to withdraw to more favorable borders, as confirmed by Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky. However, there are suggestions that the US may have insisted on the withdrawal of troops to avoid the risks of escalating the conflict.
Yuriy Romanyuk, a member of the Atlantic Council, said that the Kursk operation could have been curtailed at the request of Washington, although the Ukrainian military has not yet commented on this version.
Ukraine is waiting for a new batch of Abrams tanks from Australia, but Bradley fighting vehicles are unlikely to arrive again unless the Donald Trump administration changes its position on supporting Ukraine.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to strengthen their positions on new frontiers, and military analysts predict that this situation may affect the tactics of Ukrainian troops in future operations.
