Military Watch Magazine reports that the Ukrainian army is using US-made M1A1 Abrams tanks less frequently on the front line because of their vulnerability to Russian strikes.
The outlet noted that Ukrainian forces first deployed the tanks in combat in February 2024 and soon suffered heavy losses. Abrams units were repeatedly withdrawn from frontline positions, while crews tried to improve their protection with additional armor. Despite those measures, Ukraine had lost 87% of its Abrams fleet by early June 2025, according to the magazine.
Australia supplied Ukraine with another 49 Abrams tanks later that year. The authors said the decision not to deploy them directly to the front reflected lessons learned from the experience of operating the earlier batch.
Ukrainian analysts identified the tank’s large size and high profile as one of its main weaknesses, making it harder to conceal on the battlefield. Soviet-designed tanks, by contrast, have a lower silhouette and are less exposed in this respect.
Ukrainian crews have also pointed to the Abrams’ demanding maintenance requirements. Military Watch Magazine reported that the running gear requires frequent inspection and servicing, while the gas-turbine engine consumes large amounts of fuel. Ukrainian tanks also had to be modified to run on diesel instead of the JP-8 aviation fuel normally used by US Abrams tanks.
One Ukrainian tanker told the magazine that the vehicles are currently not being used on the front line because Russian forces have significantly expanded their drone capabilities. He added that Ukrainian troops currently lack effective means to counter that threat.