The recordWhat this system is, where it comes from, who operates it and which of Vigil’s modules it is relevant to — with the evidence each of those rests on.
Record
Conflict relevance
This is the catalogue's single record for this system. It is relevant to the module below; each module's Force Atlas shows how it is used there.
Operators
Ukraine: donated fleets of several variants
Battlefield role
Western-donated heavy armour for Ukrainian mechanised brigades.
Strengths
Excellent optics and fire control, strong crew protection, accurate long-barrel gun on the 2A6/Strv 122 marks.
Limitations
Heavy maintenance and logistics burden, available only in small numbers, still vulnerable to mines and loitering munitions.
Campaign relevance
Derived: a participant organisation in these campaigns carries a typed equipment association with this system. That is not the same as documented use of the system in the campaign itself.
- The Ukrainian counteroffensives, 2022–2023 September 2022 – November 2023
via 47th Mechanized Brigade "Magura" (Documented, high confidence)
Visual identification
Angular wedge-shaped turret on the 2A5/2A6/Strv 122; the 2A6's L/55 barrel is visibly longer than earlier marks; 2A4 retains the boxy vertical-faced turret.
Documented conflict use
Committed from the 2023 summer counteroffensive onward; losses and field repairs documented by open-source trackers. Employment shifted from breakthrough attempts to fire-support and reserve roles as the drone-dense front hardened.
Branch & service operators
- Ground Forces Documented
Documented formations
- 47th Mechanized Brigade "Magura" Documented · high confidence
Reported & historical formation associations
- 12th Special Forces Brigade "Azov" Reported · moderate confidence
Related key events
Southern counteroffensive falls short
Ukraine's Western-equipped push toward the Azov coast fails against deep fortifications and minefields; positional attrition sets in.
Assessed as of2026-05Last reviewed2026-07-11