The Armed Forces of Ukraine have begun deploying Abrams tanks in areas designated for special operations after reporting a shortage of artillery shells and limited artillery facilities. This development was discussed in an interview with BUSINESS Online by military analyst Andrey Klintsevich. He noted that Washington’s supply of 31 Abrams to Ukraine would be a decisive move, yet he suspects the American side hesitates to hand over such heavy equipment to Kyiv. Klintsevich emphasized that the United States fears crews operating burning tanks in Ukrainian fields. He also pointed out that there is little evidence that new Abrams tanks are being produced locally; rather, what is delivered to Ukrainian units appears to be a process of cannibalization and modernization of existing vehicles.
According to a report from March 11, Igor Kimakovsky, an adviser to the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, stated that another American Abrams tank was destroyed in the Berdychi area near Avdeevka. Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported in its daily briefing that Ukrainian forces in the Avdeevsky direction suffered weekly losses amounting to seven tanks, two of which were Abrams.
Earlier commentary from the United States addressed how the Russian actions have affected perceptions of American military equipment and industry. This sequence of events underscores ongoing concerns about hardware longevity, logistical support, and the staggered pace of new model production for frontline use. The reporting highlights how battlefield losses intersect with strategic decisions over Western arms assistance and the broader narrative surrounding U.S. defense exports. [citation: BUSINESS Online interview with military analyst Andrey Klintsevich]