Russia faces several German and US tanks in Ukraine

25 jan 2023 om 21:35Update: 38 minuten geleden

NU.nl regularly provides you with an overview of the situation in Ukraine. This time: the bullet is through the church, Ukraine will receive heavy battle tanks from both Europe and the United States. Russia says it is not impressed, but warns it will escalate at the same time.

Last week, Ukraine had to be more patient. On the advice of Ukraine’s Defense Liaison Committee in Germany, the host country still held its own: Ukraine currently has no tanks. The risk of escalating the war was high and Germany wanted to think longer before taking the plunge.

The light for tank delivery turned green on Tuesday. First, Poland received the necessary permission from Germany to supply German-made tanks to Poland. On Wednesday, the eastern neighbors themselves announced a major European tank delivery: Two full battalions, nearly ninety Leopard 2A6 tanks will be earmarked for Ukraine. The first fourteen must travel from Germany to Kiev as soon as possible.

Wat is de Leopard 2A6-tank?

De Leopard 2A6-tank is ruim 60 ton zwaar en is een van de modernste versies van de Leopards. Het gaat om een van de zwaarste en dodelijkste tanks die in Europa worden gemaakt.

Poland is also sending fourteen tanks to Ukraine as soon as possible. In addition, the Netherlands is investigating the possibility of purchasing 2 Leopard tanks and sending them directly to Ukraine. The Netherlands currently leases eighteen Leopard 2 tanks from Germany. “We are certainly not ruling out a purchase,” said a spokesman for Prime Minister Mark Rudd.

Not only that. Portugal and Finland are also interested in supplying these types of tanks. The latter country acquired Hundred Leopard 2 tanks from the Netherlands in 2014. “But we cannot make very big deliveries because we are not a member of NATO yet, so we have to keep our own defense in order,” the Finnish government said.

Spain also has 108 Leopard 2 tanks, half of which are ready for battle. “We are ready to donate the tanks,” a government spokesperson said. Norway’s Defense Minister said on Wednesday evening that the Norwegian Leopard will also provide 2 tanks. How much is not yet known.

The Netherlands is one of the leading countries in providing military support to Kiev

The Netherlands is a leading supplier of military equipment to Kiev. Last week, the Cabinet announced the delivery of two missiles and multiple missiles from a Patriot battery to Ukraine. send. Earlier, along with the United States and the Czech Republic, it was announced that ninety modernized Russian T-72 tanks would be delivered.

“These tank deliveries represent a big step in the process of stopping Russia,” Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said with satisfaction.

2:05

The US still supplies M1 Abrams tanks

The lights for tank delivery also turned green on the other side of the ocean. The US wants to support the government in Kiev 31 M1 Abrams tanks. It is one of the most armored and powerful tanks in the US armed forces.

The Pentagon has long ceased support. For example, the Americans argue that their M1 Abrams are expensive to operate and difficult to maintain. Driving a complex vehicle also requires a lot of practice. But the Pentagon is now convinced that Ukraine needs tanks anyway.

At the moment, the war in Ukraine revolves around the question of which camp has the ability to launch an offensive after the winter. Western tanks can easily advance into Ukraine and attack Russian defenses such as bunkers.

‘Tanks burn’

The Kremlin responded actively to the tank deliveries on Wednesday. The Russians said in a statement that “tanks will burn like other NATO military support.”

Russian diplomats warn of escalation of war in Ukraine due to tank supply “Germany’s decision to supply tanks takes this conflict to a new level. It goes against German promises not to get involved in this war,” said Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechayev.

Ukraine confirms withdrawal from Soledar

Not all news was positive for Ukraine on Wednesday. For example, the troops had to abandon Soladar after a fierce battle. This means the city north of Pakmut is firmly in Russian hands. It was not disclosed when exactly it was withdrawn.

In recent months, a bloody battle has taken place for Soledar, resulting in many deaths and injuries. The city was completely destroyed.

International analysts wonder why Pakmut and Soledar are such a priority for the Russians. Their strategic importance is questioned by them. But the city could serve as a starting point when the Russians launch an offensive to capture the rest of the Donetsk basin in the spring.