U.k. Prime Minister has announced the deployment of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine to support the country’s ongoing conflict with Russia
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (U.K.) – Rishi Sunak has announced to send Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine to bolster the country’s war effort, as it continues to fight Russia.
The announcement came after Sunak spoke to the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy where he confirmed sending the equipment and additional artillery systems. Zelenskyy thanked the U.K., saying that the decision to send the tanks will not only strengthen them on the battlefield, but also send the right signal to other partners.
Taking it to twitter, Zelenskyy tweeted,
Always strong support of the UK is now impenetrable and ready for challenges. In a conversation with the Prime Minister, @RishiSunak, I thanked for the decisions that will not only strengthen us on the battlefield, but also send the right signal to other partners.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 14, 2023
Zelenskyy said the U.K.’s support was always strong and is now impenetrable. Sunak and Zelenskyy also discussed recent Ukrainian victories, as well as the need to seize on this moment with an acceleration of global military and diplomatic support. Sunak said the Challengers, the British Army’s main battle tank, would help Ukraine forces push back Russian troops.
Built in the late 1990s, the Challenger tank is currently undergoing upgrades which will keep it in service until 2035. It is currently in service with the Queen’s Royal Hussars, the King’s Royal Hussars and the Royal Tank Regiment. The Challenger 2 has a crew of 4, and carries a 120 mm main gun and 2 machine guns of 7.62 mm. Its top speed is around 59 km/h (36 mph).
The tanks will provide Ukraine with better protection, and more accurate firepower. Besides, Poland also has plans to send 14 of its German-made Leopard tanks. But the tanks, which are in greater supply and used by a number of European armies, need approval from Germany to be exported to Ukraine. Besides, Ukraine is also hopeful that United States (U.S.) will supply some of its Abrams tanks, which use the same ammunition as the Leopard.
Responding to the news of the Challenger tanks, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman – Maria Zakharova said, “As we’ve said previously, weapons supplies are legitimate targets for Russian strikes.”
Meanwhile, Ukraine has issued warnings of possible missile strikes outside of Kyiv. The Governor of the Central Cherkasy region has warned Russia could launch a massive missile strike and is urging residents to take shelter when alerted by air raid sirens.
The attacks are part of a broader campaign in recent months from the Russian military, who have been bombarding Ukrainian infrastructure since October 2022, causing blackouts and disruptions to central heating and running water in freezing winter conditions.
