Hanna Maliar/Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
- Two Russian T-72 tanks were taken out by a single US-supplied Bradley IFV, Ukraine says.
- Ukraine's deputy defense minister said the tanks were set aflame by the Bradley's anti-tank missiles.
- Ukraine is keen to demonstrate to Western allies how it is putting their military aid to good use.
A US-supplied Bradley infantry fighting vehicle recently took out two Russian T-72 tanks, according to Ukraine's deputy defense minister.
Hanna Maliar shared an image of the Bradley with its crew on Tuesday, saying they had been fighting in the Zaporizhzhia region when they became surrounded by Russian infantry.
After Ukrainian automatic cannon fire took out the infantry Russian forces declared a "real hunt" by introducing two T-72s onto the battlefield, Maliar wrote, according to The New Voice of Ukraine's translation.
But both tanks were destroyed by the Bradley's heavy TOW anti-tank missiles, Maliar said.
Insider was unable to independently confirm Maliar's account, and the Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
As of July 7, the US has committed a total of 186 Bradley IFVs to Ukraine, and, going by a Ukrainian Ministry of Defense tweet, the first ones arrived on Ukrainian soil no later than April.
The fast, tough armored vehicle is not a tank, but has been referred to as a "tank killer." It can transport troops as well as provide fire support, including through the use of its powerful anti-tank missiles.
Dutch open-source weapons-tracking website Oryx said that, as of this month, Ukraine appears to have lost, or sustained damage to, 35 Bradleys — a large proportion of those handed over.
Maliar suggested that Western-donated equipment is a major target for Russian forces.
"Our military is well aware that Western equipment attracts the enemy's attention," she wrote, per The New Voice of Ukraine, adding: "As soon as the Bradley appears on the frontline, the Russians unleash all their firepower, from grenade launchers to artillery and attack helicopters."
Ukraine has been keen to demonstrate the difference the US supply of Bradleys has made on the battlefield.
In June, Maliar shared images of one such IFV appearing barely damaged after what she said was a direct rocket hit. She said the vehicle took a direct hit from a Russian Grad rocket system — but was tough enough to keep going, while protecting everyone inside.
A pair of Ukrainian soldiers also told ABC News in June that they owed their lives to the Bradley they were riding in.
"Thanks to it, I am standing here now," a soldier, identified only as Andriy, said. "If we were using some Soviet armored personnel carrier we would all probably be dead after the first hit."