Prime Minister Rishi Sonak announced late Saturday night that Britain will send 14 main battle tanks and additional artillery support for Ukraine. This was in spite of criticisms from London’s Russian Embassy.
According to a British Prime Minister’s Office, a squadron consisting of 14 Challenger 2 tanks is expected to enter the country within the next few weeks. Around 30 self-propelled AS90 guns operated by five gunners are also anticipated to be deployed.
In the next few days, the UK will begin to train Ukrainian troops how to use tanks and guns.
A spokesperson for the prime minister stated that “As Ukraine’s people approach their second year of living under constant Russian bombardment”, he was committed to winning the war.
He has analyzed the military picture and compared the strategic effects of UK support to identify a window in which he believes the UK and its allies could have the greatest impact.
This announcement comes after a conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukrainian President, earlier Saturday. During which Sunak “expressed the UK’s desire to increase our support for Ukraine through the provision Challenger 2 tanks as well as additional artillery system.”
Sunak’s office stated earlier in the week that Britain will coordinate support with its allies. France, Germany, and the United States indicated last week that they would supply armored vehicles for Ukraine.
According to the office, the defense minister will update the British Parliament on Monday with information about security support.
According to the Russian Embassy in London, the deployment of tanks could prolong the confrontation and cause more civilian casualties. This was evidence of London’s “increasingly obvious participation” in the conflict.
According to the comments made by the TASS news agency, “As far as the Challenger 2 tanks are concerned, they are unlikely to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine to turn the tides on the battlefield. But they will become legitimate large targets for Russian artillery.”
The British Army’s Challenger 2 battle tank is designed to destroy other tanks. It has served them since 1994. According to the army, it has served in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Kosovo and Iraq.
Sunak’s spokesperson stated that President Zelenskiy and the prime minister welcomed international commitments, such as Poland’s offer of a Leopard tank company.
In his video nightly address, Zelenskiy called the anticipated help “important” to Ukraine’s defense.
Zelenskiy stated that “it’s truly what is necessary.” “I believe similar decisions will be made by other partners, those who can see why this evil cannot be allowed a single chance.
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