Video: British ‘Challenger 2’ tank destroyed for the first time in 30 years in Ukraine

The British ‘Challenger 2’ tank has been destroyed for the first time in combat operations after 30 years of service. This was reported by The Guardian, citing military experts, as per RTVI.

The incident occurred near the village of Robotyno in the Zaporizhzhia direction. The publication drew attention to a video circulated on social media, showing the armored vehicle engulfed in thick gray smoke.

“The footage reportedly shows the destruction of a British ‘Challenger 2’ tank in Ukraine, marking the first such event for these tanks,” the article notes.

According to The Guardian, the tank was destroyed on Monday, September 4. Defense sources suggest that the crew has likely survived.

“Typically, a ‘Challenger 2’ crew includes four personnel, and munitions are stored in separate compartments, which helps prevent an explosion from a direct hit to the vehicle,” the newspaper reports.

It is emphasized that until now, only one ‘Challenger 2’ tank had been destroyed, which occurred in 2003 during friendly fire in Iraq. This statistic is partially due to the relatively small number and rarity of Challenger 2 tanks.

The article mentions that London has not commented on the destruction of the tank, but the British Ministry of Defence has not disputed that the vehicle in the video is indeed a ‘Challenger 2’.

In 2023, Britain transferred a total of 14 ‘Challenger 2’ tanks to Ukraine. These tanks have been in service with the British Army since July 1994. Aside from Britain and Ukraine, ‘Challenger 2’ tanks are also present in Oman.