Dramatic new satellite images have laid bare the huge losses suffered by the Russian military during Vladimir Putin's grinding war in Ukraine. The before and after pictures, published by the UK's Ministry of Defence, show how Moscow's arsenal has been severely depleted - with thousands of tanks vanishing over the course of two years.
![[AFTER: A satellite image provided by the UK Ministry of Defense shows the reduction in the number of armored vehicles at the base in Ulan-Ude]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/13/93274255-14205605-A_satellite_image_shared_by_the_UK_Ministry_of_Defense_shows_the-m-9_1734529414120.jpg)
Aerial views show three bases inside Russia - tank storage facilities from the town of Buy in the west to Arsenyev in the far east - in the first months of the war and this year. Putin's forces have lost more than 3,600 main battle tanks - more than its entire pre-war active inventory - and nearly 8,000 armored vehicles since the invasion began in February 2022, according to UK intelligence.
![[BEFORE: An image provided by the MoD shows armored vehicles at a facility in Buy, Russia, in August 2022]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/13/93274247-14205605-image-m-12_1734529458316.jpg)
The significant losses have forced Moscow to increasingly rely on its stockpiles of dated Soviet tanks, many of which have reportedly been exposed to the elements. 'Russian military equipment losses in Ukraine continue to increase,' the MoD said in a statement alongside the images.
![[AFTER: An image provided by the MoD shows far fewer vehicles stationed at the base in Buy in 2024]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/13/93274247-14205605-BEFORE_An_image_provided_by_the_MoD_shows_armored_vehicles_at_a_-m-14_1734529531091.jpg)
'This has led to a reliance on outdated and poorly maintained Soviet-era equipment from strategic storage depots. 'Armoured equipment is being hauled out of storage, upgraded where possible and sent to the frontline.'. BEFORE: A satellite image shared by the UK Ministry of Defense shows tanks at a base in Ulan-Ude, Russia, in 2022.
![[BEFORE: A tank storage facility in Arsenyev, Russia's far east, pictured in 2022]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/13/93274251-14205605-image-m-15_1734529582178.jpg)
