Leopard 2A4 tanks bolster Ukrainian defense in Donetsk battle

Soldiers from the 33rd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Army shared that during recent attacks on their brigade, the crews operating their 2A4 tanks demonstrated exceptional performance. They emphasized their continued belief in the tank's remarkable accuracy and powerful firepower. "The accuracy of the weapons is insane," wrote soldiers from the 33rd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian army.

The German Leopards represent the largest group of NATO tanks delivered to Ukraine. Most of the units sent to the front are the 2A4 variants, manufactured in the late 1980s and early 1990s. These tanks represented the "pinnacle of tank development during the Cold War era." They were designed to counter the Soviet T-72B and T-80 tanks and, over the years, have become a part of many NATO armies' equipment.

Although the more than 30-year-old Leopard 2A4 has several shortcomings compared to the latest tanks, it still poses a real threat to the enemy. These German machines' capabilities are well-regarded by not only Ukrainians but also by soldiers from NATO countries, who emphasize its good mobility and advanced fire control system with thermal imaging.

The Leopard 2A4 is equipped with a 120 mm Rheinmetall L/44 smoothbore cannon, two 7.62 mm machine guns, and a smoke grenade launcher. The tank also has an automatic fire suppression system and an engine with 1500 horsepower, allowing the crew to reach up to 43 mph speeds.

Although its armor is improved compared to older versions, the Leopard 2A4 lags later NATO tanks. For this reason, Ukrainians are fitting many units with additional Kontakt-1 reactive armor blocks, enhancing resistance to attacks using anti-tank-guided missiles.