A BRITISH Challenger 2 tank has been destroyed in Ukraine.
It is the first time the world-beating tank has ever been destroyed by enemy fire in combat.
Battlefield footage showed the wreck of a tank billowing smoke and flames near bomb-blitzed Robotyne, the focus of Ukraine's counter-offensive.
In the footage, the Ukrainian soldiers can be heard saying: "They destroyed one more tank, motherf*****s!
"Oh f***, let's drive faster, come on."
Defence sources confirmed the tank had been destroyed – known as a "K-Kill" – in fierce frontline fighting, but it is unclear what wiped the mighty vehicle out.
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Fighting in the south has been intense, with ferocious Ukrainian troops storming Russia's frontline as their counter-offensive gathers pace.
The Ukrainian footage was filmed from inside a vehicle with a cracked windscreen as it drove past the wrecked tank.
Black smoke and flames are seen pouring from the Challenger 2, which was positioned next to a road with its barrel at right angles to the tracks, as if ready to fire.
A defence source said the crew of the Challenger 2 survived.
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Officials refused to reveal what kind of missile had the British tank in Ukraine.
The Sun understands it was a projectile, not a mine.
The source insisted the crew's miraculous escape was proof that the UK tanks provided "increased surviveability".
The independent Ukraine Weapons Tracker reported: "A Ukrainian Challenger 2 tank was destroyed near Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
"This is the first confirmed loss of this tank in Ukraine and is also the first one ever destroyed by enemy action."
The only other time a Challenger 2 had been destroyed in battle was by friendly fire in Iraq in 2003.
Two British soldiers were killed and two others seriously wounded when another Challenger 2 opened fire in darkness.
But despite the tank being wiped out in Ukraine, the machine's survivability was highlighted as footage shows the turret still attached to the hull.
Usually when tanks are blasted, they explode and parts such as the turret fly off.
It comes days after Ukraine's armed forces released a video of the Challenger 2 hailing it as a "sniper rifle among tanks".
Challenger 2 tanks have the most accurate main guns of any western main battle tanks and they are protected by world-beating composite armour codenamed Dorchester and Chobham.
The Russian pro-war Grey Zone reported: “It seems to be the first documented destroyed British Challenger 2 tank in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, namely, the 82nd separate air assault brigade.”
Britain was the first Nato ally to give Ukraine Western main battle tanks earlier this year.
Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace donated a squadron of 14 Challenger 2 tanks which forced America and Germany to follow suit.
'NEVER SUFFERED LOSSES'
The Challenger 2s were assigned to Ukraine's elite 82nd Air Assault Brigade which was thrown into battle last month.
The tanks had been part of a strategic reserve to smash through cracks in Russian lines.
But they were thrown into battle in mid-August as Ukraine struggled to smash through Russia's heavily fortified first lines of defence.
The Military Informant channel said: “It seems that the British Ministry of Defence will have to change the description of the Challenger on its official website.”
The MoD stated the UK’s main battle tank had “never suffered losses” on operations in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq.
The 75-ton tanks, which cost £5million each, outstrip their Soviet-era Russian rust bucket equivalent the T-55 on speed, armament, firepower and precision.
The Challenger 2’s 120mm gun destroyed an Iraqi vehicle during the Gulf War from three miles away — a “kill shot” record.
They can carry up to 1,800 litres of diesel, giving them an average 341 miles range at a speed of 37mph.
If needed, additional fuel can be sprayed on the hot engine to produce a smoke screen, providing cover in battle.
The 120mm cannon can be armed with armour-piercing shells that fly towards the enemy at 4,250mph.
It can also be armed with high explosive bunker-busting shells that can blow up light enemy vehicles or entrenched positions.
On each side are five smoke grenade dischargers, which can be fired as a smoke screen to the front, protecting against laser beam-riding missiles.
It also has a chain gun spitting out 7.62mm rounds to rip through soft-skinned vehicles such as trucks, or dismounted infantry.
Earlier this year, The Sun was given an exclusive tour of the Challenger 2 in Estonia.
Meanwhile last month, Ukraine was set to launch modified British Challenger 2 tanks into battle for the first time.
The battle tanks were spotted near the front line rigged with Mad Max-style armour and new tactical markings as they were expected to join the battle.
On the sides of the Challenger 2, bar armour was installed, thought to provide protection against rocket grenades.
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