British Prime Minister announces shipment of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine

14 Jan. () –

The British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has confirmed to the Ukrainian President, Volodimir Zelenski, the sending of a batch of Challenger 2 tanks as military aid against the Russian invasion of the country.

Britain thus becomes the first Western power to supply kyiv with front-line battle tanks, a landmark moment in the history of military aid to Ukraine despite fears within NATO that Russia may consider the decision as an escalation of war.

In a phone call on Saturday, Sunak confirmed the intention to “intensify British support for Ukraine, including by supplying Challenger 2 tanks and additional artillery systems.”

The prime minister and President Zelensky “welcomed” other international commitments in this regard, including Poland’s offer to provide a Leopard tank company.

Although the Downing Street statement does not specify the exact number of tanks, government sources had previously informed ‘The Sun’ tabloid that there was an intention to send at least four tanks “immediately” and “eight more in the near future”. .