Russian Tanks Helpless Against Ukrainian Missile Strike

Since the Outbreak of War, 2,750 Russian Tanks Destroyed
Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles Provided by the US Prove Effective

American Javelin anti-tank missile arrived in Ukraine. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bora Lee] A Russian main battle tank was destroyed by a single missile from Ukraine, capturing the moment.

On the 6th (local time), according to foreign media including Newsweek, a video was released showing a soldier from Ukraine's 95th Air Assault Brigade approaching alone and firing a missile at a Russian main battle tank, the T-80BV. The tank hit by the missile was engulfed in flames and smoke, moved briefly, and then exploded.

The one-minute video begins with a Russian tank moving along an unpaved road on the battlefield. Soon after, a Ukrainian soldier appears, approaches the rear of the tank, takes aim, and fires a missile. The missile flies at high speed, and the tank is instantly engulfed in flames and smoke. The soldier then quietly hides again.

The exact type of missile used by the Ukrainian soldier at the time has not been confirmed. However, it is increasingly likely to be the American-made anti-tank missile Javelin. Earlier, in July, the Ukrainian military released two videos showing the destruction of Russian T-80BV tanks using the U.S.-made FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile.

The videos captured the process of hitting tanks standing in the field with a single missile, very similar to the scene captured this time. Because of this, the Javelin is famous as the guardian of Ukraine. This Javelin is a lightweight missile that infantry can carry on their shoulder and fire.

However, it is said to boast tremendous power capable of penetrating tanks. The price per Javelin missile is around 90 million to 100 million KRW, so if the explosion this time was caused by the same weapon, the Ukrainian soldier destroyed a tank about 40 times more expensive with a single soldier’s effort. It is known that from February 24 to April 4, the Ukrainian military destroyed 2,750 Russian tanks and 5,580 armored vehicles through such efforts.