Ukrainian Crews Outgunning Russians in Head-to-Head Tank Battles

Russian tank losses in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion have surpassed 9,000 units as of December 2024. In 2024 alone, Ukraine destroyed over 3,000 tanks—equivalent to more than 100 tank battalions, each typically comprising 31 tanks.

In November 2024, Russian forces suffered their heaviest manpower losses yet, with 2,030 soldiers killed, reported Ukraine’s General Staff. That month, Ukraine also destroyed 307 Russian tanks (nearly 10 battalions), inflicting $450 million in tank equipment losses.

Russia delivers about 1,500 tanks annually to its forces, with 80% refurbished from old stock, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) reported. Though Russia has maintained a consistent stockpile throughout 2024, RUSI estimates reserves will be depleted by 2026.

Tanks in Ukraine

Tanks today serve various roles—reconnaissance, bridge-building, mine-clearing, and the main battle tank (MBT), all essential for offensive operations, penetrating enemy lines, and enhancing defensive positions. 

Since the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has significantly expanded its fleet with tanks designed to fight Soviet models. Thanks to the support of its allies, donated fleets of US-made Abrams, British-made Challengers, and German-made Leopards have significantly changed the course of events on the battlefield. The Challenger 2 especially, with its over 4.5-kilometer strike range (3+ miles), is proving its precision for Ukraine’s tank crews in battle. 

To celebrate tank crews and honor their key role in the Kharkiv region’s 2022 liberation, President Zelenskyy declared September 14 as “Tankers Day.”

While tank-on-tank battles are rare, Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine has seen quite a few. Shared globally, combat footage showcases Ukraine’s crews outmaneuvering and outgunning Russia’s armored forces.

What is the largest tank battle in Ukraine?

Hailed as the “biggest tank battle of the war so far” by Ukrainian commanders, the 2023 battle of Vuhledar in the Donetsk region saw Russian forces not only fail to capture the city but suffer huge losses over three weeks of fighting.

During the first assault, Ukraine mainly utilized its anti-tank teams – ambushing columns of Russian tanks with American Javelins and Ukrainian laser-guided Stugna-P missiles, along with American M777 and French Caesar howitzers. Russian tank drivers began to panic and while turning around to flee, many drove over mines in the minefields alongside them.

In their last major engagement during the battle, Ukrainian tank crews prepared to ambush, and again, launched an attack on a Russian column of tanks, inflicting heavy losses. Russia lost at least 130 tanks and armored personnel carriers (APCs) in the battle, according to reports.

After this battle, fighting in and around Vuhledar continued. By early October 2024, Ukrainian forces had to pull back and Russian forces took complete control of the city. 

Tank duals caught on camera

Striking footage circulated worldwide in October 2024 of a Russian APC speeding towards two Ukrainian tanks in Russia’s Kursk region. The Ukrainian tanks blasted the APC at point-blank range. 

“Closest tank engagement I’ve ever seen!” wrote Mark Hertling, a retired US Army general.

Somehow, the Russian crew managed to escape the smoking wreckage of the APC.

Leopard MBT takes on a Russian column

A large Russian force attempted to breach Ukrainian defenses near the town Dalnje, south of Kurakhove, on November 11, aiming to encircle Pokrovsk from the south. However, Ukraine's 33rd Mechanized Brigade, equipped with powerful German-made Leopard 2A4 tanks, blocked the assault. 

They took on a column of Russian armored vehicles, including tanks, APCs, combat armored vehicles, and more. The Leopard blasted holes straight through two tanks, one APC, and several other vehicles. 

“Effective work,” the Ukrainian 33rd Mechanized Brigade wrote on Telegram. “Russian occupiers, hiding a few meters away, surely learned their lesson.”

Soviet MBT Dual

Ukraine’s 128th Mountain Assault Brigade attacked a Russian T-72B3 Soviet MBT with its Ukrainian T-64BV Soviet tank, destroying it at close range. According to reports, the assault took place in the fields between the settlements of Dudchany and Nova Kamianka, the Kherson region.

Bradley vs T-90

Though the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) doesn’t quite fall under the title of a “tank” this dual is worth noting. The head-to-head clash took place near the occupied city of Avdiivka. The Russian T-90M takes on the Ukrainian Bradley IFV operated by the Ukrainian 47th Mechanized Infantry Brigade. The skills of the Ukrainian unit prevailed before their forces finished off Russia’s T-90M with a striking drone.

Ukraine’s T-90 takes on Russian column

In the outskirts of the village of Urozhaine, Donetsk region, Ukraine’s 58th Mechanized Brigade sent their T-80 Soviet MBT to take on Russia’s convoy of two IFVs and one tank. The 58th destroyed the tank causing its ammunition to detonate. The two Russian IFVs then fled, returning to their position.

Soviet tank dual

A Ukrainian Soviet-made T-64BV of the 92nd Mechanized Brigade destroyed a Russian T-72B-series tank with a single shot in Novoselivske, the Luhansk region, according to “Ukraine’s Weapons Tracker”, an organization debunking and tracking footage in Ukraine.