Russia can keep bleeding tanks and other equipment like it has been in Ukraine for at least another 2 to 3 more years, war analysts say

russia can keep bleeding tanks and other equipment like it has been in ukraine for at least another 2 to 3 more years, war analysts say

Russian servicemen with their armored vehicles at Kubinka Patriot Park outside of Moscow on August 15, 2017. ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images

  • Russia can sustain its current equipment loss rates with what it is making and has in storage for at least 2 to 3 more years, a new analysis says.
  • Some of what Russia has in storage is outdated and not necessarily of the same quality as the systems lost in battle.
  • Ukraine has kept up its arsenal, but it’s struggling to field new units with sufficient equipment.

Russia is making enough new tanks, fighting vehicles, and other equipment and has enough in storage to sustain its losses in Ukraine, which have been horrendous, for 2 to 3 more years, maybe even longer, according to a new analysis.

“Despite losing hundreds of armoured vehicles and artillery pieces per month on average, Russia has been able to keep its active inventory numbers stable,” the International Institute for Strategic Studies concluded in a Monday report.

Using aerial imagery, the London-based think tank determined that Russia has at least 12 artillery storage bases, 10 central tank reserve bases, and at least 37 mixed equipment and armaments storage bases. The exact number of weapons stored that require restoration and activation for use is unclear though.

The new report said that Russia is capable of efficiently replacing its losses through production and its storage and reserve capacity. “Equipment replenishments were roughly keeping pace with battlefield attrition,” IISS said, pointing to conclusions that it arrived at in an assessment last year.

The UK Ministry of Defense reported that Russia was capable of producing 100 new tanks a month, but experts recently told Business Insider that the new tanks being manufactured were likely older models.

Russia has lost thousands of armored vehicles since last February, and it suffered immense losses on the front lines around Avdiivka in fall 2023. The country has been replenishing equipment losses, as well as manpower losses, but in this war, it has at times resorted to using older armored vehicles, such as T-62s and even T-55s.

The situation for Ukraine is a bit murky, IISS acknowledged, but the country’s arsenal of main battle tanks is believed to be around pre-war levels while Western provisions have increased the availability of some other armored vehicles.

Additionally, the country has been able to use a many of the Russian tanks it has captured.

But Ukraine’s efforts to put additional combat elements in the field have been hindered by insufficient supplies, IISS reported, noting that these problems have been “leaving some units lacking equipment to be even close to full strength.”

US aid for Ukraine has been stalled in Congress for weeks, and if the support continues to be withheld, greater strain could end up being placed on the Ukrainian military.

News Related

OTHER NEWS

Lawsuit seeks $16 million against Maryland county over death of pet dog shot by police

A department investigator accused two of the officers of “conduct unbecoming an officer” for entering the apartment without a warrant, but the third officer was cleared of wrongdoing, the suit says. Read more »

Heidi Klum shares rare photo of all 4 of her and Seal's kids

Heidi Klum posted a rare picture with husband Tom Kaulitz and her four kids: Leni, 19, Henry, 18, Johan, 17, and Lou, 14, having some quality family time. Read more »

European stocks head for flat open as markets struggle to find momentum

This is CNBC’s live blog covering European markets. European markets are heading for a flat open Tuesday, continuing lackluster sentiment seen at the start of the week in the region ... Read more »

Linda C. Black Horoscopes: November 28

Nancy Black Today’s Birthday (11/28/23). This year energizes your work and health. Faithful domestic routines provide central support. Shift directions to balance your work and health, before adapting around team ... Read more »

Michigan Democrats poised to test ambitious environmental goals in the industrial Midwest

FILE – One of more than 4,000 solar panels constructed by DTE Energy lines a 9.37-acre swath of land in Ann Arbor Township, Mich., Sept. 15, 2015. Michigan will join ... Read more »

Gaza Is Falling Into ‘Absolute Chaos,’ Aid Groups Say

A shaky cease-fire between Israel and Hamas has allowed a surge of aid to reach Palestinians in Gaza, but humanitarian groups and civilians in the enclave say the convoys aren’t ... Read more »

Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families to march together in anti-hate vigil

Demonstrators march against the rise of antisemitism in the UK on Sunday – SUSANNAH IRELAND/REUTERS Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families will march together as part of an anti-hate vigil on ... Read more »
Top List in the World