The Russian Defense Ministry for the first time reported on the “destruction” in Ukraine of eight Leopard tanks supplied by Germany after the Russian invasion. The message was published in the department's Telegram channel.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, on June 5, the total losses of Ukrainian troops in the South-Donetsk direction amounted to more than "1,500 servicemen, 28 tanks, of which 8 Leopards made by Germany, three AMX-10 wheeled tanks made by France and 109 armored fighting vehicles."
The report also says that the Armed Forces of Ukraine continued the offensive on June 5, the main efforts are concentrated on the Vremevsky ledge of the South Donetsk direction. According to the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces of Ukraine reorganized the remnants of the 23rd and 31st mechanized brigades into separate consolidated units and continued offensive operations in the Novodarovka and Levadny areas. Also, Ukrainian servicemen launched an offensive in the direction of the Oktyabrsky state farm and Novodonetsk with the forces of the 37th Marine Brigade with reinforcements, which were based on units of the 68th Mountain Jaeger Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Office of the President of Ukraine has already stated that Russia "repels a global offensive, which "is not yet"".
This is the first official announcement from the Ministry of Defense about the destruction of the Leopard. In February 2023, TASS and Telegram channels reported that “information came from closed sources that Wagner PMC fighters “destroyed the first Leopard,” the agency asked Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Wagner PMC, to confirm this information. Prigozhin's press service published his comment:
“We didn’t destroy the Leopards. So far, there have been no fights with the Leopards, ”Prigozhin said.
At that time, he claimed that German Leopard 2 tanks were arriving at Chasov Yar, but "they have not yet been encountered on the battlefield."
In total, Germany will transfer to Ukraine, taking into account all the promised deliveries of 187 Leopard 1 tanks, the shipment was approved by the German Federal Security Council, Der Spiegel and Business Insider reported . Part of the Leopard 1 tanks should be delivered to Ukraine this summer, most will not be delivered until 2024, Der Spiegel notes. The information that the German government will allow Rheinmetall and FFG Flensburger to transfer 187 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine was officially confirmed by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Economy of Germany. Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands have also pledged to send at least 100 repaired Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine, Dutch Defense Minister Kaisa Ollongren said .
