Captured Leopard 2 resurfaces at Russia’s main tank factory

BERLIN — Russia transported a captured Ukrainian Leopard tank deep into its hinterland to demolish it and analyze its components, according to an open source investigation by Defense News.

Satellite images, images broadcast by Russian media and other open source information help locate the captured 2A6 tank. The factory, Uralvagonzavod – Ural Wagon Factory, in English – is known as the largest tank producer in the world, having produced more than 100,000 tanks since World War II. It is also involved in the production of the most modern tank variants Russia has to offer.

The captured tank appeared in good condition once the tarpaulin that covered it during its journey was lifted by workers. On the sides of the turret, anti-drone steel screens – colloquially called “protective cages” – were visible. These additions have become standard on the battlefield in Ukraine as a simple defense against explosive-laden kamikaze drones, which can shatter armored vehicles when rammed into weak points.

It is unclear when and where the Leopard tank was captured by Russian forces. Dutch open source survey site Onyx, which tracks battlefield losses during the Ukrainian war, has identified 13 Leopard 2A6 tanks lost by the Ukrainian armed forces. Seven were destroyed, while the rest were damaged.

Located in Nizhny Tagil, behind the roller coasters of the Urals, which constitute the border between Europe and Asia, the factory where the Leopard 2 resurfaced is far from the front line in Ukraine. The vehicle was seen arriving at the installation under the cover of darkness on a flatbed truck, video footage reviewed by Defense News showed.

The Ural Wagon Factory, which produces wagons in addition to armored vehicles, is one of the largest industrial complexes in Russia. It was built in its current location in the heart of Russia at the request of Stalin during World War II. At the time, the rapid advance of German forces during their surprise invasion of “Barbarossa” necessitated the evacuation of vital war industries away from Russia’s western border. , which is home to most of the country’s population centers.

The location was likely chosen as the destination for the captured 2A6 Leopard due to its institutional knowledge and role as a high-end tank manufacturer in the Russian military-industrial complex, meaning it is home to experienced engineers. Media reports dating back to 2023 showed that the state-owned enterprise was responsible for the production of Russia’s modern T-90M and the modernization of the T-72B3M main battle tanks.

Defense News was able to geolocate video footage of this upgrade process to the same building where the captured Ukrainian leopard tank was deposited.

The importance of the plant was highlighted by the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin in February this year. Russian government press releases suggested that new production capacity would be added at Uralvagonzavod and that the plant would be moved to a 24-hour work schedule in order to increase its production for the war effort in Ukraine .

Russian media rejoiced over the capture of the Western tank, citing Western industry publications as being panicked over classified technologies falling into Moscow’s hands. Articles further stated that “unsuccessful use of German tanks in Ukraine could negatively affect the export potential of armored vehicles,” as RIA Novosti, a Russian state-run news agency, put it.

Although over 20 years old, the German-made Leopard 2A6 is still considered a competent and modern main battle tank. Its advantages over Russian tanks range from greater crew survivability to an advanced gun, fire control system, different armor, type of shell used and even a powerful and efficient engine.

Despite some media claims, readily echoed by Russian state media, it is unclear whether the tanks delivered to Ukraine from Germany contain more sensitive technologies than those that were built for export to other countries. country. Some analysts have expressed concern that because the tanks came from German Bundeswehr stocks, they could be equipped with particularly advanced systems.

KNDS, the tank’s manufacturer, told Defense News the company is not concerned about its technology being captured by Russia.

“It won’t be easy to copy, and Russia probably already has much of the information anyway,” a company spokesperson said in an interview. The gunmaker further clarified that there is no “export version” of the tank, but orders are tailored to the specific needs of their customers. The spokesperson, who asked to remain anonymous, could not say whether the tanks from the German armed forces contained particularly sensitive technology or whether they had been modified before being sent to Ukraine.

“The Russians will probably be able to understand some things, but it is difficult to say what exactly,” the company spokesperson concluded.

The German Armed Forces did not respond in time for clarification and comments on the specifics of the Leopard 2A6 tank.

Germany supplied Ukraine with 18 Leopard tanks of the 2A6 variant, while Portugal supplied three.

This is not the first Leopard 2 captured by Russia. In April, images were released of Russian soldiers analyzing a tank in a field tent without its tracks. However, the recently resurfaced tank appears to be in much better condition, which could provide information that Russia was previously unable to obtain.

Dozens of Western countries, including many NATO members, use the Leopard 2 tank in various configurations. Finland operates 200 Leopard 2 tanks, including 100 of the 2A6 variant. Analyzing its capabilities and limitations could help Russia develop its own domestic technologies, but could also allow Moscow’s armed forces to better understand how to defend against and destroy the vehicle.

Russian state media have repeatedly said that Western supplies to Ukraine amount to “playing with fire” and directly involving NATO countries in the conflict, a position the Euro-US alliance rejects.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said any shipment containing weapons destined for Ukraine would be considered a legitimate target by the Russian military.