In an Epic Battle of Tanks, Russia Was Routed, Repeating Earlier Mistakes

Andrew E. Kramer / The New York Times

Ukraine's 72nd Brigade near Vuhledar, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, on Saturday. (photo: Tyler Hicks/NYT)

01 March 23

A three-week fight in the town of Vuhledar in southern Ukraine produced what Ukrainian officials say was the biggest tank battle of the war so far, and a stinging setback for the Russians.

Before driving into battle in their mud-spattered war machine, a T-64 tank, the three-man Ukrainian crew performs a ritual.

The commander, Pvt. Dmytro Hrebenok, recites the Lord’s Prayer. Then, the men walk around the tank, patting its chunky green armor.

“We say, ‘Please, don’t let us down in battle,’” said Sgt. Artyom Knignitsky, the mechanic. “‘Bring us in and bring us out.’”

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