Russian troops destroy German-made Leopard 2A6 tank in Ukraine

(MENAFN) Russian troops have reportedly destroyed a German-made Leopard 2A6 tank in Ukraine’s Sumy Region, according to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry cited by a Russian state-owned news agency on Wednesday.

The ministry revealed that the tank was detected near the village of Pisarevka during a reconnaissance flight. The operator targeted a vulnerable spot beneath the tank’s turret with a kamikaze drone, successfully striking the vehicle.

The news agency released a short video captured from a first-person view drone showing the UAV flying low over a village road before locking onto and attacking the Leopard 2A6.

Russian forces entered Sumy earlier this year after repelling a brief Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region last August. Moscow aims to establish a “buffer zone” up to 10-12 kilometers deep in this area to secure its border from attacks, according to President Vladimir Putin.

The day before, the Russian Defense Ministry reported recovering another Leopard 2A6 tank damaged by a drone strike during the winter. The tank had been abandoned by its crew in Kursk Region and was found to have “almost a full ammunition load” with “no critical damage.”

In May, Russian defense manufacturer Rostec criticized the Leopard 2A6, stating the tank’s survivability is questionable against drone and modern missile attacks, deeming it ill-suited for contemporary warfare.

MENAFN03072025000045017281ID1109755333