Ukraine is using its advanced Leopard tanks as a 'nocturnal predator' fighting mostly at night and at dawn, soldier says

• Ukrainian troops praised the advanced Leopard 2A6 tank's night vision as an advantage over Russia.
• One said they use the tank as a "nocturnal predator," operating mostly at night and dawn.

A Ukrainian tank loader said his brigade is using its new, modern Leopard 2A6 tanks like "nocturnal predators," taking advantage of their night vision to target Russia in low light.

Yurii, a tank loader with Ukraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade, said in a video for Ukraine's military that "We mainly operate at night and at dawn."

He said this was because this is when the tank is at its most effective, "just like a cat."

"Why was it named Leopard? Because it's swift, and it's a nocturnal predator."

A tank commander in the brigade also said the German-made Leopard 2A6 tanks are good at operating in the dark: "It can operate at night."

He said its night vision device gives visibility for up to 2.5 miles, "allowing us to effectively engage the enemy and achieve close to a 100% success rate."

You can watch the soldiers speak about the tank here:

The Leopard 2A6 tanks may be Ukraine's best tanks, Forbes noted. They are more advanced than older Leopard tank models also given to Ukraine by its allies.

A Russian colonel-general previously called the tanks the best ones in Europe and said they have good night vision.

Russia, in comparison, has frequently been fighting with older tank models, sometimes decades-old relics from Soviet times, and Russia's equipment means it can struggle to see at night, Forbes noted.

However — the night-vision Leopards are a limited resource. Ukraine got 21 of the 2A6s from European allies, and no more are due to be delivered. Future packages include only American M1 Abrams tanks and older Leopard models.

Vladyslav, a Ukrainian tank gunner with the brigade, said in the video that Ukraine needs "more of this kind of equipment." Ukraine only got the tanks from allies like Germany after months of debate, when Ukraine and some of its other allies were pleading for the tanks to be given as soon as possible.

Vladyslav also said the Leopard tanks are better than the old Soviet T-64 he previously drove because he and his crew are more likely to survive if the modern tank takes a hit.

"The main advantage of this machine is crew survivability," he said, as "when you go out in it, you are more at ease about your life and the lives of your fellows."

Yurii, who described his job as arming the tank and loading ammunition directly during battle, also said the modern tank is significantly better.

"It's like comparing a Tesla to a Lada," he said, referring to the Russian car company that is the butt of endless jokes. He said he was grateful for Western partners' support with the tanks, and that "They didn't expect us to master it in such a short time."

Ukraine's defense ministry credited the 47th Mechanized Brigade for breaking through Russia's first line of defense in the village of Robotyne, in the southerly Zaporizhzhia region. Ukraine said at the start of the month that it had retaken the village as it tries to push Russia back in its counteroffensive.