Ukrainian forces have destroyed 10,000 Russian tanks since the start of the bloody conflict, the nation’s Ministry of Defense has claimed. The momentous milestone, coming as the conflict approaches its third anniversary,

Russia has what it needs to fight on in Ukraine for at least another year and retains the battlefield initiative, but is struggling to replace its destroyed tanks, experts at a leading security research organisation said on Wednesday.

According to the Ukrainians, the explosive “completely destroyed” an enemy shelter and all Russian personnel inside were killed. The attack comes as Ukraine claims to have destroyed more than 10,000 Russian tanks since Vladimir Putin ’s forces began a full-scale invasion almost three years ago.

An annual review of the global military situation says Russia’s stockpiles of Cold War-era weapons and larger population have allowed it to withstand heavy battlefield losses in Ukraine as the West fails to provide Ukraine with the aid needed to mount a counteroffensive.

Most post-Soviet tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and artillery systems have been stored outdoors for decades at several bases in Russia. Why don't the Ukrainians attack them? An OSINT analyst has provided an answer to this question.