German newspaper Bild quoted Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines as saying that maintenance units cannot ensure major repairs to Western equipment in this country, but must turn to Poland and other countries for repairs. Treatment and this process usually lasts many weeks.
Another factor is the frequency of weapon use. Western weapons have high technical standards suitable for conventional combat and combined arms, when weapon complexes coordinate with each other to both promote strength and reduce weapon wear and tear. This did not happen in the conflict in Ukraine, when aid weapons were often used to their maximum capacity, causing them to quickly degrade and need repair. According to Ukrainian soldiers, the German Pzh-2000 self-propelled artillery complex, after high-intensity use, firing 600 rounds per day, failed, as did many other weapons that require strict environmental standards. like low humidity, little dust…
The “holy weapons” donated by the US and the West were quickly destroyed on the battlefield. Photo: Reuters
Along with that, the weapons donated by the West are not the most modern or have special technologies removed for fear they will fall into the hands of the Russian Army. Information about the M1 Abrams tank aided to Ukraine having its battlefield information management system or special armor made from Uranium alloy removed; Ceasar cannon instead of entering coordinates automatically, having to enter parameters manually is clear evidence. In addition, the quality of weapons and military equipment donated to Ukraine is also questioned as they often break down and malfunction.
As for the Russian Army, as soon as they learned about AFU receiving modern weapons from NATO, everyone from the highest command level to each soldier participating in the Special Military Campaign understood the weapons. NATO is the priority target.
According to RIA Novosti news agency, many Ukrainian soldiers were afraid to operate Leopard-2 tanks or many combat vehicles aided by NATO because they were always given firepower priority. A Ukrainian prisoner recounted that, as soon as AFU Leopard-2 tanks were discovered on the front, Russian artillery immediately changed lanes and prioritized destructive fire.
Along with that, prioritizing the destruction of Western aid aid is also realized by direct bonuses from the Ministry of Defense or Russian regions. This has encouraged Russian soldiers to prioritize destroying them as soon as they are discovered.
There is another technical factor: Western weapons and military equipment have all had their weaknesses studied by Russian military experts, even following a tradition from the time when the Soviet Red Army was the representative. Factories and weapon design complexes are often present on the battlefield. They will have direct access to Western weapons from which they can find effective countermeasures using both hard measures, firepower or soft suppression using technical measures.
It is for the above reasons that explain why Western “holy weapons” quickly lost their sanctity on the Ukrainian battlefield. And progress is ongoing as the conflict continues.
TUAN SON (compiled by Topwar, Lenta, vpk)