"A British-supplied Challenger 2 main battle tank has been destroyed in Ukraine but the crew members survived, Forces News has confirmed via defence sources."
-Then follows a refusal to admit the Russians blew it up:
"...the vehicle might have become disabled, then deliberately scuttled to stop the Russians getting hold of it. "
-ummm that must be why bits of it have been blown off and lying on the ground...
So did the MOD state this? Apparently not. "MailOnline contacted the Ministry of Defence for comment. " and so far no comment whatsoever has appeared...
So who exactly was the vague "defence sources" (note it didn't state "official") Was it by any chance the Challengers very own warmongering cheerleader who comments in the Telegraph?: "...Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former Challenger 2 tank commander, told the Telegraph: “The attrition rate is the same as Leopard 2 and I expect the crew survived and the tank can probably be repaired.” "
Have Hamish's "expectations" i.e. mere positive surmise that the crew survived been firm up to "did" survive? If the UK defense establishment knew they had survived Hamish as their media "point-man" would know too...except he doesn't...so has to make it up.
And note his other ludicrous "positive": "...the tank can probably be repaired." Lol!... it's burning black and in flames...aren't these things necessarily jammed full of high tech gizmos somewhat sensitive to being incinerated and with complex wiring looms long enough to stretch for miles, Hamish?
Anywise, the Mail informs us the Challenger: "...according to the MoD, 'has never experienced a loss at the hands of the enemy'."
Russian Telegram channel Military Informant wrote after the footage emerged this week: 'It seems that the British Ministry of Defence will have to change the description of the Challenger on its official website.'