Not Only Beaten Back Ukrainian Troops, Russia Lost Half The Elite Tank Unit In Kharkiv

Illustration of a tank of Russian troops being destroyed in Ukraine. (Wikimedia Commons/armyinform.com.ua)

JAKARTA - British intelligence said a group of Russian Army troops lost half its power, taking years to rebuild, after being pushed back by Ukraine's retaliatory strike in Kharkiv.

The Russian Army Tank 1st Guards Unit is said to have suffered heavy casualties due to the invasion, the British Ministry of Defense said.

One of the most elite units in the Armed Forces in Russia, is said to have been hit by a counterattack by Ukrainian troops.

Now, after being highly degraded, Russia's conventional powers designed to counter Western alliances have weakened, the UK Ministry of Defense said.

The revelations emerged after Ukraine recaptured most of the northeast from Russia in recent days.

Ukraine has maintained its lightning advances as its forces are highly motivated and its operations are well planned, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on Tuesday.

"The goal is to free up Kharkiv's territory and its surroundings, all areas occupied by the Russian Federation. The fighting continues (in the Kharkiv region). It is too early to say full control (Ukraine) has been set over the Kharkiv region," he explained.

To note, citing various sources, the 1st Guards Tank Army is an elite unit, veteran of World War II. The units are among those participating in Battle of Stalingrad, Operation Uranus, Battle of Kursk to Battle of Berlin on the east front.

Initially named the 1st Tank Army, the name of this unit received the word 'Guards', asserting it as an elite unit, as an award for its dedication and achievements in World War II.