The Sky News news channel reported that Ukrainian army used British tanks Challenger 2 during the counter-offensive in Kursk Oblast. According to the findings, “this is first case the use of British tanks – operated by Ukrainian soldiers – in combat on the territory Russia“.
Armed forces Ukrainy did not comment on the matter, as did the Ministry of Defence in London, which did not want to reveal “operational details”.
The British MoD spokesman only added that “the government's policy Great Britain has not changed. In accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, Ukraine has a clear right to self-defense against illegal attacks by Russia, which does not exclude actions on Russian territory. During the gift-giving process, we make it clear that the equipment is to be used in accordance with international law.”
Attack on Kursk. Ukraine using Western equipment?
“Details of how and when Ukrainian forces deployed British Challenger 2 tanks to Russia's Kursk region are not yet clear. Nor is the number of tanks that could be involved,” Sky News reported.
However, the 82nd Air Assault Brigade, which is a unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, has been using British tanks since last year, and there are confirmed reports that part of this brigade takes part in the attack on the Kursk region.
Great Britain in January 2023 agreed to transfer 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukrainewhich caused that Germany and the US also decided to gift Ukraine with their versions of such equipment.
“The 82nd Air Assault Brigade has about two thousand soldiers and is equipped with Western equipment – British Challenger 2 tanks, as well as American and German Stryker and Marder combat vehicles,” the media reported.
Great Britain. Consent to attack
It is the policy of the UK government to use any weapons transferred to Ukraine by the UK must be legal international. Military aid is intended to help Ukrainian army in defense against the Russian attack.
On Wednesday, The Times reported that Ben Wallace, the former defense secretary, revealed that during his tenure gave Ukraine permission to attack targets in Russia using “all weapons that were provided,” except for long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles.
He suggested that the same rules apply in the case of Russia's Ukrainian counter-offensive.
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