Challenger 2 Tanks May Have Seen Combat in Kursk Province
British media reports indicate that Ukraine has deployed Challenger 2 tanks in the Kursk offensive, with Russian forces claiming that a Lancet UAV destroyed one of these tanks.
On August 15, Sky News cited an anonymous source reporting that the Challenger 2 main battle tank has been deployed in the Kursk offensive, marking the first time this asset has been used on Russian territory since the UK delivered it to Ukraine last year.
A BBC source later confirmed this information, emphasizing that this deployment aligns with the weapons usage agreement between London and Kyiv.
The 82nd Brigade, the only Ukrainian unit operating Challenger 2 tanks, is reportedly among the leading forces in the Kursk offensive. While the UK Ministry of Defence declined to comment, it reiterated Ukraine’s right to use UK-supplied equipment for self-defense, noting that “this does not exclude operations on Russian territory.” This suggests that nearly all of the weapons provided by London could be utilized in the Kursk campaign.
The Russian Ministry of Defence had earlier released a video showing a Ukrainian tank retreating into a forested area, followed by a Lancet suicide drone striking the target, resulting in a massive explosion and the tank’s complete destruction. Although the Russian military did not specify the type of tank, pro-Moscow sources claimed it was a Challenger 2 involved in the Kursk operation.
Ukrainian officials have yet to comment on the reports.
The UK has provided a total of 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, all of which were assigned to the 82nd Airborne Assault Brigade as of March 2023. The first Challenger 2 tank was destroyed near the strategic village of Rabotino in Zaporizhzhia province in September 2023, marking the first complete loss of this tank model in combat since its introduction by the UK.
Following this loss, the Ukrainian military withdrew the Challenger 2s to the rear, using them as mobile fire support platforms to avoid direct engagements with Russian guided missiles and suicide drones. In March, Ukrainian soldiers revealed that only 7 Challenger 2 tanks remained operational. Of the remaining 6, one is used for training in the rear, while 5 are damaged and awaiting spare parts. Two other tanks were damaged in combat but have since been repaired, including one that required a new gun barrel.
Ukraine has also deployed various Western-supplied armored vehicles, including American Bradley and Stryker infantry fighting vehicles and German-made Marder 1A3s, in the Kursk operation. Many of these vehicles have been destroyed or captured by Russian forces.
