A Russian reconnaissance workforce was reported on September 24 to have captured a German talking tank crew after destroying a Leopard tank in Ukraine’s Zaporozhye area. The workforce chief said in a report back to state media on September 23: “Once we curbed one other offensive and ATGM-ed [destroyed with an anti-tank guided missile] the Leopard, we moved out to the burned automobile hoping to grab the ‘tongue.’ Then we noticed that the crew’s driver-mechanic was severely injured and the others have been lifeless. As soon as he awoke, the mechanic began yelling ‘nicht schiessen’ [‘do not shoot’].” Relating to the seize of the German talking survivor, he noticed: “The mechanic repeatedly said that he was not a mercenary however a Bundeswehr serviceman, and that he and the remainder of the crew have been members of the identical unit of the German military.” He added that the German serviceman named his brigade and its dislocation web site. Russian infantry extensively use varied variants of the Kornet anti tank guided missile, which has confirmed able to destroying Ukraine’s finest armoured tanks the British Challenger 2, and is thus thought-about greater than able to neutralising all variants of the Leopard 2 even when placing their more durable frontal armour.
Though contractors from throughout the Western world have been extensively reported to have been concerned in fight operations in Ukraine, the deployment of lively obligation personnel because the German tank operator claimed to be would even be removed from unprecedented. Western international locations have extensively deployed not solely particular forces and supporting personnel, the latter for roles similar to command and management and logistics, however they’ve additionally deployed frontline combatants from common items. Some of the notably examples has been the deployment of British Royal Marines for frontline fight roles from April 2022, which was for months alleged by Russian sources earlier than being confirmed by a Marine common in December that yr. It has lengthy been speculated that Western personnel, whether or not contractors or lively servicemen, would function most of the extra complicated belongings being transferred to Ukraine, a notable instance being the Patriot missile batteries dispatched in a far shorter time than it will have taken to coach Ukrainian operators.
It stays unsure whether or not the captured German tank operator was certainly a Bundeswehr serviceman as he claimed – as this might have entitled him to superior remedy as a prisoner of struggle which might not be the case for mercenary contractors. Stories that German personnel are working the Leopard tanks being delivered to Ukraine nonetheless has the potential to invigorate Russian in style assist for the struggle effort, with the Leopard being a successor to the Panther and Tiger tanks of the Second World Warfare period when German led a European coalition to invade the Soviet Union. Because the coming to energy of the Olaf Scholz administration in early 2022 Germany reworked from among the many most reserved in its assist for NATO navy actions in Japanese Europe to among the many most resolved and dedicated to supporting the struggle effort in Ukraine. In consequence the deployment of both contractors and even lively Bundeswehr servicemen can be removed from out of line with broader German insurance policies. Germany has nonetheless seen its economic system climate among the most vital disruption as a result of fallout from the Russian-Ukrainian Warfare, with its GDP slipping to sixth place behind Russia in 2022 in consequence.
Leopard 2 tanks together with trendy Leopard 2A6 variants have taken vital losses in Ukraine for the reason that starting of Ukrainian offensives towards Russian positions in early June, with losses among the many older Leopard 2A4 and Leopard 1 tanks being considerably heavier nonetheless. It’s unsure whether or not German personnel have begun to deploy to the theatre not too long ago, or whether or not they have been concerned in fight operations during the last 4 months and will have taken losses accordingly. Warnings have grown since mid 2023 from each Western and Russian sources that extra NATO member states may deploy lively servicemen to Ukraine in a lot larger numbers ought to Ukrainian forces falter, with Poland and the Baltic states having initially been anticipated to take the lead in doing so. Whereas supplying its personal tanks, Berlin has additionally sought to amass Leopards from third events, most notably Switzerland, to extend its capability to arm Ukraine. A lot relating to the extent of German involvement within the struggle effort has but to be revealed publicly, as is the case for a number of Western states collaborating actively within the battle.
