Russian forces operating in the Kursk region of Russia have reportedly captured a US-made Abrams tank used by the Ukrainian military. The Russian army, which has been advancing in the area and occupying several settlements, recovered the tank in the village of Malaya Lokna. The claim was made by Russian military correspondent Dmitry Kulko, who released drone footage showing the captured vehicle.
According to Russian sources, the operation to retrieve the tank involved multiple units. Soldiers from the engineering and fortification unit of the 72nd division of the Russian armed forces worked to clear the area of mines planted by Ukrainian forces. Once the site was secured, troops from the 22nd motorised rifle regiment transported the Abrams tank using an armoured repair and evacuation vehicle. Reports suggest that despite sustaining damage, the tank remains operational and will be sent to St Petersburg.
Russia’s attempt to publicise the capture of the Abrams tank is part of its wider propaganda effort to claim battlefield victories against Ukraine and its Western allies. Since the United States supplied Abrams tanks to Ukraine, Russia has sought to present any loss of these vehicles as proof of its military success. However, Ukrainian forces continue to resist Russian aggression, defending their positions and countering enemy advances where possible.
The Kursk region, where the tank was reportedly captured, is located within Russian territory near the Ukrainian border. Moscow has increasingly used border areas such as Kursk and Belgorod to launch attacks against Ukraine while also staging operations to justify its continued war.
| Captured Equipment | Location | Russian Military Units Involved | Reported Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Abrams Tank | Malaya Lokna, Kursk region | 72nd Division, 22nd Motorised Rifle Regiment | St Petersburg |
The Kremlin’s decision to send the tank to St Petersburg suggests an intention to display it for propaganda purposes, likely to reinforce the narrative that Russian forces are successfully countering Western military support for Ukraine. The fate of the tank remains unclear, but its capture does not change the overall course of the war, where Ukraine continues to fight for its sovereignty against Russian occupation.
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