Jan 25, 2023 at 9:35 PM
NU.nl regularly gives you an overview of the situation in Ukraine. With 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 at the same time warns of escalation.
Last week, Ukraine still had to be patient. At the consultations of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany, the host country still held its own: no tanks for Ukraine for the time being. The risk of the war escalating is high and Germany wanted to think even longer before taking the plunge.
The light for tank deliveries still turned green on Tuesday. First, Poland obtained the necessary permission from Germany to give away the Polish German-made tanks. And on Wednesday, the eastern neighbors themselves announced a major European tank delivery: two full battalions, consisting of almost ninety Leopard 2A6 tanks, will be reserved for Ukraine. The first fourteen have to go from Germany to Kyiv as soon as possible.
What is the Leopard 2A6 Tank?
The Leopard 2A6 tank weighs over 60 tons and is one of the most modern versions of the Leopards. It is one of the heaviest and deadliest tanks made in Europe.
Poland is also sending fourteen tanks to Ukraine as soon as possible. In addition, the Netherlands is looking into whether it can purchase Leopard 2 tanks and then send them directly to Ukraine. The Netherlands currently leases eighteen Leopard 2 tanks from Germany. “We certainly do not rule out the purchase,” said a spokesman for Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
And that’s not all. Portugal and Finland also want to supply these types of tanks. The latter country took over a hundred Leopard 2 tanks from the Netherlands in 2014. “But we can’t make too large a delivery, because we are not yet a member of NATO and therefore have to keep our own defense in order,” said the Finnish government.
Spain also has more than 108 Leopard 2 tanks, half of which are combat-ready. “We are open to donating tanks,” a government spokesman said. Norway will also supply Leopard 2 tanks, the Norwegian defense minister reported on Wednesday evening. How much is not yet known.
The Netherlands is one of the frontrunners in military support to Kyiv
The Netherlands is one of the frontrunners in supplying military equipment to Kyiv. Last week, the cabinet announced that it would send two launchers and a number of missiles from a Patriot battery to Ukraine. Earlier, together with the United States and the Czech Republic, a delivery of ninety modernized Russian T-72 tanks was announced.
“These tank deliveries together represent one big step in the process of stopping Russia,” said Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki with satisfaction.
2:05 Play button
US tacks and still supplies M1 Abrams tanks
The light for tank deliveries also turned green on the other side of the ocean. The United States wants to support the government in Kyiv with 31 M1 Abrams tanks. This is one of the most heavily armored and most powerful tanks in the US armed forces.
The Pentagon held back support for a long time. For example, the Americans argue that their M1 Abrams are expensive to operate and difficult to maintain. Operating the complex vehicle would also require a lot of training. But the Pentagon is now convinced that Ukraine needs the tanks anyway.
At the moment, the battle in Ukraine revolves around the question of which camp has the capacity to launch the offensive after the winter. Western tanks would enable Ukraine to advance more easily and attack Russian defenses, such as bunkers.
‘The tanks will burn’
The Kremlin reacted curtly to the tank deliveries on Wednesday. “The tanks will burn, as will other NATO military support,” the Russians said in a statement.
Russian diplomats did warn that the war in Ukraine will escalate due to the tank deliveries. “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 Sergey Nechayev to Germany.
Ukraine confirms withdrawal from Soledar
Not all news was positive for Ukraine on Wednesday. For example, troops had to give up Soledar after a fierce battle. This means that the city north of Bakhmut is definitively in Russian hands. It was not disclosed when exactly the withdrawal took place.
In recent months, a bloody battle has been fought for Soledar, resulting in many deaths and injuries. The city is completely destroyed.
International analysts wonder why Bakhmut and Soledar are such a high priority for the Russians. Their strategic importance is questioned by them. But the city can serve as a starting point for the Russians when they launch the offensive to conquer the rest of the Donetsk basin in the spring.
The destruction of Soledar is clearly visible on satellite images. Photo: AP/Maxar Technologies
Jan 25, 2023 at 11:52 am
Germany wants to send two battalions of nearly 90 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine
Jan 24, 2023 at 7:28 PM
Germany authorizes countries to supply Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine
Image: ANP / EPA
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