Ukrainian commander warns French tanks are inadequate for counteroffensive

Armour too light: a Ukrainian officer believes that the AMX-10 RC tanks delivered to Ukraine by France and currently being used in Kyiv's counter-offensive are unsuitable for frontline attacks.

The commander of a battalion of the 37th Naval Infantry Brigade, the pseudonymous Major Spartanets, described his observations of these French tanks on the battlefield during their current deployment in the Donetsk region.

"They are used for supporting fire, because of their light armour," he said. "Their armament is good, their observation instruments are very good. But unfortunately it's light armour, which makes them unsuitable."

In January, French President Emmanuel Macron promised the delivery of these highly mobile reconnaissance armoured vehicles on wheels, equipped with a formidable 105mm cannon. Four months later, they were already in service on the front line, according to the Ukrainian government.

But in this high-intensity war marked by constant heavy artillery strikes, their thin armour is proving to be a major weakness, according to Major Spartanets.

"There have been cases where a 152mm shell has exploded nearby and the shrapnel has pierced the vehicle," noted the 34-year-old officer, who said this has already resulted in the death of the crew on one occasion.

"A shell exploded next to the vehicle, the fragments pierced the armour and the stock of ammunition (on board) was detonated", says the Ukrainian officer. "The crew of four, unfortunately, remained inside; they were killed in the armoured vehicle."

According to Major Spartanets, some AMX-10 RCs also have problems with their gearboxes, perhaps, in his opinion, due to their use on dirt roads.

"Sending these vehicles (to the attack) to be destroyed is (...) pointless