From T-64s holding off entire Russian columns to crews rising from near-death like a Phoenix, Ukrainian tank operators have turned armored steel into instruments of courage and survival.
Operations have stalled at a Polish logistics hub set to receive Australian Abrams tanks for Ukraine, with European leaders blaming President Trump's recent aid suspension.
The latest announcement will bring the total value of Australia's military assistance to Ukraine since the start of the war to more than $1.3 billion, while overall government support now tops $1.5 billion.
These upgrades aim to preserve the remaining tanks amid losses and limited replacements, with potential reinforcements from Australia under consideration.
This equipment shortage is significantly delaying potential counteroffensive operations against Russian forces, hampering Ukraine's ability to regain territory
The tanks "are performing excellently on the battlefield and we certainly have no intention of hiding from the enemy what usually makes them hide," Ukrainian forces wrote.
The US defense official anonymously revealed that Ukraine used the tanks in a limited capacity and did not integrate taught tactics into its operations after training in Germany.
According to The New York Times, over the past two months, Russian armed forces have taken out five U.S. M1 Abrams tanks out of 31 that were shipped to Ukraine last fall by the United States.