WATCH: Ukraine battlefield video shows destruction of British Challenger 2 tank in a first

In a dramatic turn of events, a video circulated on social media on Tuesday depicts what seems to be the destruction of a British Challenger 2 tank in Ukraine, marking the first-ever reported combat loss of this armored vehicle. The video footage, captured from a car attempting to flee the intense fighting, reveals the Challenger 2 enveloped in thick, grey smoke, leaving viewers puzzled about the cause of the blaze.

British defence sources, as reported by The Guardian, have suggested that despite the harrowing impact, the Ukrainian crew is believed to have survived. In contrast to their Russian counterparts, Challenger 2 tanks are designed with separate ammunition compartments to minimise the risk of explosion in the event of a direct hit.

Experts have confirmed the tank's identity based on the video, though the exact time and location of the incident remain uncertain. Notably, voices speaking in Ukrainian can be heard when a second immobilised tank appears in the video.

Challenger 2 tanks have maintained an impeccable combat record since their initial deployment in 1994, with no losses reported until now, except for one destroyed in a friendly fire incident in Iraq in 2003. This record can be attributed to their relatively limited numbers and infrequent use in active combat zones.

Questions surrounding deployment of British tanks in Ukraine

Earlier this year, the United Kingdom provided Ukraine with 14 Challenger 2 tanks as part of a broader European initiative to supply Western heavy armor. The tanks were assigned to Ukraine's 82nd air assault brigade, initially intended for reserve use in the event of a frontline breakthrough. However, in August, the brigade was thrust into the heat of battle along the critical Zaporizhzhia front, specifically in the vicinity of Robotyne, where Ukrainian forces claimed to have breached the first Russian defensive line.

With the donation to Ukraine, the UK now has 213 Challenger 2 tanks remaining, though parliamentary reports in March suggested that only 157 were available for active operations. Oman stands as the only other country to have utilised these tanks.

While the UK Ministry of Defence has not officially commented on the video, it has not contested the apparent identification of a Challenger 2 tank in the footage.