US Provides Ukraine with Bradley Armored Vehicles, but Many have Been Lost or Damaged
In a setback for Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia, nearly a third of the Bradley armored vehicles provided by the United States may have already been lost or damaged, according to open source data. The extent of these losses showcases the difficult and costly nature of Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim territory.
In January, the Biden administration announced the delivery of 50 Bradley Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine, which are armored personnel carriers capable of transporting about 10 soldiers and are equipped with heavy firepower. The New York Times reported that the vehicles were primarily allocated to Ukraine’s 47th Mechanized Brigade, which was expected to receive a total of 99 Bradleys, according to leaked Pentagon documents. Other reports suggest that the United States may have delivered as many as 109 of these vehicles, which were first deployed in April.
However, open-source military research group Oryx has visually confirmed that 34 Bradleys have been abandoned, damaged, or destroyed. A number of these losses occurred in June during the initial stages of the counteroffensive, when Ukraine announced its plans to retake Russian-conquered territory.
Despite the losses, the deployment of the Bradleys has been lauded by Ukrainian soldiers, who credit the vehicles with saving lives. They have deemed the Bradleys superior to Soviet-era armored personnel carriers, stating that the vehicles have protected them from fatal attacks.
The losses themselves were not unexpected, as Ukrainian soldiers encountered heavily mined terrain while pushing through Russian-entrenched territory in the early days of the counteroffensive. The casualties suffered by the Bradleys were concentrated during this period.
These setbacks highlight the challenges faced by Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. The country’s military continues to bear the burden of the conflict, with casualties adding up as they strive to regain control of lost territories. The United States’ support through the provision of vehicles like the Bradley demonstrates its commitment to Ukraine’s defense against Russian incursions.
As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues, it remains to be seen how Ukraine will navigate these losses and sustain its counteroffensive. The situation underscores the stakes and the resources required to confront a well-equipped opponent like Russia.
