Ukraine's Leopard 2R Faces Tough Challenges Clearing Russian Minefields
During the initial stages of their counter-attack, the Ukrainian army faced significant setbacks in terms of engineering equipment, in particular its Leopard 2R mine-clearing armored tanks .
These losses have posed a tough challenge for Ukrainian forces when it comes to crossing Russian minefields.
Failure to navigate this treacherous area effectively hampered their ability to break through the Russian lines.
Ukraine has experienced a substantial depletion of the Leopard 2R engineering vehicle (EV) dedicated to mine clearance, as reported by Military Cognizance (6/13/2023).
In particular, the engineer battalions belonging to the 33rd Motorized Brigade and 47th Assault Brigade suffered heavy equipment casualties during their recent attack on Tokmachka Mala South.
On 8 June, a number of special engineering vehicles suffered losses, including at least five units equipped with mineshares and minerollers.
These vehicles play an important role in guiding tanks and infantry fighting vehicles through dangerous minefields.
By plowing and detonating mines, they create safe passages for the advance of armored units, allowing them to break through enemy lines.
Attacking enemy strongholds directly is widely considered to be one of the most challenging and deadliest operations in land warfare.
Even highly skilled and well-equipped troops could sustain significant casualties, with the potential to lose as much as half their striking force in the event of a successful frontal breakthrough.
During a week of heavy fighting, the 47th Assault Brigade was forced to withdraw from the battlefield, losing three of their six best performing minesweeper vehicles, Leopard 2Rs obtained from Finland.
Regarding the Leopard 2R, it is based on the light weight Leopard 2A4 tank. The vehicle weighs 69 tons and is operated by a crew of three.
The Leopard 2R offers up to 1,500 hp of power, enabling it to displace mines and detonate them safely in front of the vehicle.
