According to unconfirmed figures, while Russia has destroyed or seized 74 of Ukraine’s tanks, it has captured at least 117, according to open source intelligence analysts. Russia is thought to have lost between 274 and 561 battle tanks, according to various reports.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine estimated Russian tank losses at 561.

It also stated that 115 Russian warplanes have been destroyed in the conflict, which is now in its fifth week.

Ukraine’s reported gains prompted some commentators to argue that the disparity in captured tank numbers demonstrates Russia’s lack of preparedness for a war against a determined foe.

According to Forbes’ aerospace and defence expert David Axe, “the Ukrainian army’s main tank, the T-64, is no longer in active use in the Russian army.” However, the Ukrainians also use at least two models that the Russians still use, the T-72 and T-80.

“The T-80 is an evolution of the T-64, which was one of the most advanced tanks produced by the Soviet industry.

“The T-72, on the other hand, is a simpler, less expensive tank that is suitable for mass production and field support. Ukraine generally assigns its T-72s to reserve formations for a reason.”

Mr. Axe continued in Forbes: “In any case, there aren’t many captured Russian tanks that Ukraine won’t be able to use in some capacity.

“The question is how quickly Kyiv’s army can take stock of a vehicle seized by its troops – or civilians – repair any damage, refuel it, restock its ammo, and assign it to a crew with the necessary training.”

The captured tank figures come as Boris Johnson admitted that providing Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky with the tanks he requested at a NATO summit on Wednesday would be difficult.

Mr Johnson stated that Ukraine’s allies would work hard to provide Kyiv with the weapons he requires to defend his country in sufficient quantity and quality.

He promised more missiles and a new deployment of UK troops to Bulgaria, in addition to doubling personnel in Poland and Estonia to strengthen NATO’s eastern flanks.

More than 4,000 anti-tank weapons have been delivered to Ukraine by the United Kingdom. Next-generation light anti-tank weapons systems and Javelin missiles are among them.

The captured tank figures come as Boris Johnson admits it will be difficult to provide Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky with the tanks he requested at a NATO summit on Wednesday.

Mr Johnson stated that Ukraine’s allies would do everything possible to provide Kyiv with the weapons he needs to defend his country in sufficient quantity and quality.

He promised more missiles and a new deployment of British troops to Bulgaria, as well as doubling personnel in Poland and Estonia to fortify NATO’s eastern flanks.

The United Kingdom has delivered over 4,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine. Among them are next-generation light anti-tank weapons systems and Javelin missiles.

On Friday, the Kremlin signalled that it is reducing its ambitions in Ukraine in order to focus on territory claimed by Russian-backed separatists.

According to a British intelligence report, a Ukrainian counter-offensive is pushing Russian troops back in the east.

According to the report, “Ukrainian counter-attacks and Russian forces reverting to overextended supply lines have allowed Ukraine to reoccupy towns and defensive positions up to 35 kilometres east of Kyiv.”

The Russian Defense Ministry announced that the first phase of its operation had been completed and that it would now focus on two breakaway areas in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region claimed by Russian-backed separatists.