Britain sends heavy tanks to Ukraine, prompting Russian warning

“To win this war, we need more military equipment, heavy equipment,” said Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also said he had spoken to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and “stressed the need” for Ukraine to receive Western-designed tanks.

The UK will also send around 30 AS90s, large self-propelled guns operated by five gunners.

fears of escalation

The tanks will arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks, according to a second statement from Sunak’s Downing Street office later on Saturday, adding that Britain will also begin training Ukraine’s armed forces for the deployment in the coming days the tanks and guns will begin.

“As the people of Ukraine approach their second year of living under relentless Russian bombardment, the Prime Minister is committed to Ukraine winning this war,” a Downing Street spokesman said.

“The Prime Minister is aware that a long and static war only serves Russia’s goals. That is why he and his ministers will be speaking to our allies around the world in the coming days and weeks to increase pressure on Putin and ensure him a brighter future in Ukraine.”

The issue of heavy tanks has long been a key issue for Kyiv, and many experts see supplying Ukraine with modern tanks as a key building block in its ability to win against Russia.

Germany was particularly reluctant to supply heavy tanks.

It has provided powerful mobile artillery and air defenses, but continues to fear an escalation with Moscow if its tanks go head-to-head against their Russian counterparts.

Sunak has pledged to work with partners to ensure that Ukraine is “the strongest possible place to enter future peace negotiations from a position of military, economic and diplomatic strength and secure a strong and lasting peace,” the statement added added.

The British announcement comes ahead of the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which coordinates arms shipments to Kyiv, next week at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany.