The Ukrainian Armed Forces deployed British Challenger 2 tanks during an offensive in the Kursk region of Russia.
The UK Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the details of the deal. The Ukrainian military also declined to comment. If this information is confirmed, it will be the first time that British tanks, commanded by Ukrainian soldiers, have been used in combat on the territory of an aggressor country, Sky News reported.
However, a source in the British government confirmed that Ukraine is free to use British weapons on Russian territory. Among these weapons are the Challengers.
Also, the details of how and when the Ukrainian Armed Forces deployed Challenger 2 in the Kursk region are still unclear. The number of tanks that could have been involved is also unknown.
As is known, the British Challenger 2 tank, which has been in service since 1994, weighs 62.5 tons and is armed with a 120-mm rifled gun and a 7.62-mm machine gun. In January last year, London decided to transfer 14 such tanks to Kyiv. These vehicles are in service with the 82nd Airborne Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Units of this airborne assault brigade are participating in the Kursk offensive operation.
Let us recall that the Ukrainian army currently controls the center of the city of Sudzha and an important road junction to the north of it, hundreds (from 500 to 1,000 according to various reports) square kilometers of Russian territory and dozens of populated areas. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are achieving a strategic goal in the region.
Source: Sky News
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.