Ukrainian tank crews returned after training in the UK to operate Challenger 2 tanks. writing The Guardian, citing the UK Ministry of Defence.
Military personnel received training that included instruction in driving, driving and working together as a Challenger 2 tank crew, as well as effective target identification and engagement, the agency said.
According to The Guardian, these crews should take part in the spring counter-offensive. The UK Ministry of Defense has described the Challenger 2 tanks as a “step change in capabilities” for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Western countries began announcing the supply of tanks to Ukraine in early 2023. Initially, the “largest” new military aid package was announced by the head of the British Ministry of Defense, Ben Wallace. After that, the German authorities announced their intention to transfer 14 Leopard 2 combat vehicles to Kiev. The authorities of Portugal, Poland, Spain , Canada and a few other countries. The United States promised to transfer 31 Abrams tanks to Kiev.
On March 21, British Undersecretary of Defense Annabelle Goldie announced that London, in addition to Challenger 2 tanks, would supply Ukraine with armour-piercing shells containing depleted uranium.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in turn, said that Moscow would be obliged to respond to the supply of depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine “in an appropriate way”, because “the collective West is already starting to use weapons with a nuclear component”. According to the head of state, the decision to transfer these shells to Kiev means that “the West has decided to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian, not in words, but in deeds.”
