this post was submitted on 25 Aug 2026
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The New York Times reports that Western tanks, worth millions of dollars and transferred to Kiev, are sitting idle in forests covered in cobwebs. Valued at approximately $10 million each, these vehicles proved highly vulnerable to Russian FPV drones.

Former Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander Syrsky previously admitted that armored equipment is barely used. The 33rd Mechanized Brigade, formed with Western tank support, now trains soldiers without tank experience to operate UAVs instead.

Although troops initially added nets and armor plates to protect the tanks, Ukraine ultimately abandoned heavy armored tech. Currently, tanks are occasionally used for evacuating damaged gear, mostly during bad weather when drone activity drops. Ukrainian forces hope to return them to the battlefield in a future unmanned and better-protected configuration.

https://archive.ph/I7F6D

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[โ€“] burlemarx@lemmygrad.ml 5 points 4 weeks ago (1 children)

Yes, and it's also important to take into account the military doctrine on how those tanks are employed. The days where the tank was a moving fortress are long gone, even before drones, I might add.

[โ€“] yogthos@lemmy.ml 6 points 4 weeks ago

Agreed, tanks are now used as mobile communication hubs, artillery support, and mine clearing tools. We're unlikely to see large formations of tanks rolling around going forward.