UK to supply Ukraine with 12 British armoured vehicles
Britain is to supply Ukraine with four Challenger 2 tanks, which are the British Army's main battle tanks. Eight more will be sent later, according to the BBC.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says the tanks will help Ukrainian forces "push Russian troops back". Britain thus becomes the first nation to respond to Ukrainian leaders' requests to equip its army with powerful tanks.
This week, Rishi Sunak held talks with Defense and Security officials, telling them that sending tanks to Ukraine should be an operational priority. Today he also had a discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The leader from Kyiv appreciated the strong support of the United Kingdom and noted that this is also a signal for other partners to provide such vehicles.
Asked by the BBC to comment on Britain's decision, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said arms supplies were legitimate targets for Russian attacks.
Meanwhile, air raid sirens were heard across most of Ukraine today and residents were urged to take cover from a possible Russian airstrike. The regional governor of Mykolaiv said missiles had been spotted flying into southern Ukraine and that air defences were working.
