Ukraine soldiers reach UK to undergo battle tank training

The UK has pledged to offer Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine

ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ ITDC NEWS Ukraine's tank crew reached Britain on Sunday to undergo battle tank training. The United Kingdom was one of the first nations to offer battle tanks for Ukraine, a combat vehicle Ukraine has been demanding for long.

UK's defence ministry tweeted that Ukraine's tanks crews reached the UK to undergo the training. “Ukrainian tank crews have arrived in the UK to begin training for their continued fight against Russia. The UK will provide Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine alongside global partner nations - demonstrating the strength of support for Ukraine, internationally,” the defence ministry tweeted.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a recent call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged that as part of a military aid package, they would send Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. Ukraine has been demanding the West to send them tanks to strengthen their defence against Russia.

US President Joe Biden recently announced that the US would send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, reversing months of arguments by Washington that they were too difficult for Ukrainian troops to operate and maintain.

The US decision persuaded German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who had expressed concern about a unilateral action drawing Russia's wrath, to agree to send 14 Leopard 2 tanks from Germany's stocks and to allow European countries with tanks to send some of theirs. Poland has been urging Germany to let it send Leopard tanks from its stock.