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<\/p>\nA BRITISH Challenger 2 tank has been destroyed in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
It is the first time the world-beating tank has ever been destroyed by enemy fire in combat.<\/p>\n
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Battlefield footage showed the wreck of a tank billowing smoke and flames near bomb-blitzed Robotyne, the focus of Ukraine's counter-offensive.<\/p>\n
In the footage, the Ukrainian soldiers can be heard saying: "They destroyed one more tank, motherf*****s!<\/p>\n
"Oh f***, let's drive faster, come on."<\/p>\n
Defence sources confirmed the tank had been destroyed – known as a "K-Kill"\u00a0 \u2013 in fierce frontline fighting, but it is unclear what wiped the mighty vehicle out.<\/p>\n
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Fighting in the south has been intense, with ferocious Ukrainian troops storming Russia's frontline as their counter-offensive gathers pace.<\/p>\n
The Ukrainian footage was filmed from inside a vehicle with a cracked windscreen as it drove past the wrecked tank.<\/p>\n
Black smoke and flames are seen pouring from the Challenger 2, which was positioned next to a road with its barrel at right angles to the tracks, as if ready to fire.<\/p>\n
A defence source said the crew of the Challenger 2 survived.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Officials refused to reveal what kind of missile had the British tank in Ukraine.<\/p>\n The Sun understands it was a projectile, not a mine.<\/p>\n The source insisted the crew's miraculous escape was proof that the UK tanks provided "increased surviveability".<\/p>\n The independent Ukraine Weapons Tracker reported: "A Ukrainian Challenger 2 tank was destroyed near Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.<\/p>\n "This is the first confirmed loss of this tank in Ukraine and is also the first one ever destroyed by enemy action."<\/p>\n The only other time a Challenger 2 had been destroyed in battle was by friendly fire in Iraq in 2003.<\/p>\n Two British soldiers were killed and two others seriously wounded when another Challenger 2 opened fire in darkness.<\/p>\n But despite the tank being wiped out in Ukraine, the machine's survivability was highlighted as footage shows the turret still attached to the hull.<\/p>\n Usually when tanks are blasted, they explode and parts such as the turret fly off.<\/p>\n It comes days after Ukraine's armed forces released a video of the Challenger 2 hailing it as a "sniper rifle among tanks".<\/p>\n Challenger 2 tanks have the most accurate main guns of any western main battle tanks and they are protected by world-beating composite armour codenamed Dorchester and Chobham.<\/p>\n The Russian pro-war Grey Zone reported: \u201cIt seems to be the first documented destroyed British Challenger 2 tank in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, namely, the 82nd separate air assault brigade.\u201d<\/p>\n Britain was the first Nato ally to give Ukraine Western main battle tanks earlier this year.<\/p>\n Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace donated a squadron of 14 Challenger 2 tanks which forced America and Germany to follow suit.<\/p>\n The Challenger 2s were assigned to Ukraine's elite 82nd Air Assault Brigade which was thrown into battle last month.<\/p>\n The tanks had been part of a strategic reserve to smash through cracks in Russian lines.<\/p>\n But they were thrown into battle in mid-August as Ukraine struggled to smash through Russia's heavily fortified first lines of defence.<\/p>\n The Military Informant channel said: \u201cIt seems that the British Ministry of Defence will have to change the description of the Challenger on its official website.\u201d<\/p>\n The MoD stated the UK\u2019s main battle tank had \u201cnever suffered losses\u201d on operations in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq.<\/p>\n The 75-ton tanks, which cost \u00a35million each, outstrip their\u00a0Soviet-era Russian rust bucket equivalent\u00a0the T-55 on speed, armament, firepower and precision.<\/p>\n The Challenger 2\u2019s 120mm gun destroyed an\u00a0Iraqi vehicle during the Gulf War from three miles away\u00a0\u2014 a \u201ckill shot\u201d record.<\/p>\n They can carry up to 1,800 litres of\u00a0diesel, giving them an average 341 miles range at a speed of 37mph.<\/p>\n If needed, additional fuel can be sprayed on the hot engine to produce a smoke screen, providing cover in battle.<\/p>\n The 120mm cannon can be armed with armour-piercing shells that fly towards the enemy at 4,250mph.<\/p>\n It can also be armed with high explosive bunker-busting shells that can blow up light enemy vehicles or entrenched positions.<\/p>\n On each side are five smoke grenade dischargers, which can be fired as a smoke screen to the front, protecting against laser beam-riding missiles.<\/p>\n It also has a chain gun spitting out 7.62mm rounds to rip through soft-skinned vehicles such as trucks, or dismounted infantry.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, The Sun was given an\u00a0exclusive tour of the Challenger 2 in Estonia.<\/p>\n Meanwhile last month, Ukraine was set to launch modified British Challenger 2 tanks into battle for the first time.<\/p>\n The battle tanks were spotted near the front line rigged with Mad Max-style armour and new tactical markings as they were expected to join the battle.<\/p>\n On the sides of the Challenger 2, bar armour was installed, thought to provide protection against rocket grenades.<\/p>\n New tactical paint symbols were put on to help Ukrainian forces identify friendly troops.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/dk-comp-adam-peaty-1.jpg\")
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