Ukraine brings tanks back into battle during offensive on Oleksandrivka axis
After two years in which drones destroyed nearly every tank that approached the front line, Ukraine this summer managed to bring tanks back onto the battlefield, The Telegraph reported on Oct. 3.
After two years of losing tanks to drones, Ukraine successfully reintroduced tanks to the battlefield in August, according to The Telegraph. Employing a strategy involving precision drone strikes and special operations forces, Ukraine pushed Russian forces back and opened pathways for heavy armor, pushing back around 746 square kilometers of territory.
British Challenger 2 tanks played a crucial role in a counteroffensive in the Oleksandrivka sector, reclaiming a significant swath of land. The process of reintroducing tanks took eight months and began with targeting Russian logistics up to 100 miles away from the front line. Subsequent stages included electronic intelligence operations, digital infiltration of Russian soldiers' phones, and drone strikes on Russian crews to force their withdrawal.
Ukrainian infantry then moved through Russian defenses, clearing the way for tanks to follow behind. The same approach was replicated in other areas, such as Vilkhuvatka in Kharkiv Oblast, where two tanks attacked Russian positions, firing directly at enemy shelters and withdrawing unscathed despite FPV drone attacks. Analysts praised the strategy, emphasizing the importance of heavy armor and disrupted logistics near the front line.
Russian troops were reportedly caught off guard due to internet disruptions caused by SpaceX's blocking of Starlink use by Russian forces. Ukrainian units targeted Russian logistics at distances ranging from 10 to 100 miles from the front, disrupting supplies of new drones and batteries for Russian drone operators. Strikes at farther distances disabled fixed-wing reconnaissance drones, further weakening Russian capabilities.
Ukrainian forces also hacked into Russian messaging apps, likely using drones that mimicked mobile phone towers to intercept data. Tanks were deployed only after securing terrain, primarily serving to hold captured positions, not to lead large offensives. Despite losses, tanks have proven resilient against small drone strikes and have been reinforced with extra armor.
Written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
