Ukrainian soldiers land in UK to learn how to use Challenger 2 tanks

2023-01-29

Tanks for the help! Ukrainian soldiers land in UK to learn how to use British Challenger 2 armour against Russian invaders

UK Ministry of Defence shared photos of Ukrainian soldiers leaving RAF plane
They arrived in the UK to train to use Challenger 2 tanks provided by Britain

Ukrainian soldiers have landed in the UK to learn how to use British Challenger 2 tanks against their Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) shared photographs of soldiers from the war-torn nation exiting an RAF plane today to announce the arrivals.

The troops will begin training on Monday, the Government said.

The MoD tweeted: ‘Ukrainian tank crews have arrived in the UK to begin training for their continued fight against Russia.’

Ukrainian soldiers landing in the UK to learn how to use British Challenger 2 tanks

Britain is providing Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine to assist them in their fight against Russian invaders

The MoD tweet continued: ‘The UK will provide Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine alongside global partner nations – demonstrating the strength of support for Ukraine, internationally.’

On Thursday, defence minister Alex Chalk told the House of Commons the UK would begin teaching Ukrainian soldiers how to use and fix the tanks ‘next week, on Monday’.

He said the ‘intention’ is for the Challenger 2s to arrive in Ukraine ‘at the end of March’.

Before then, Mr Chalk said there will be a ‘really significant programme of training, not just for the tank crews who are to operate this vehicle but also for those who will be charged with maintaining it’.

A map showing the state of Russian and Ukrainian-controlled territory in Ukraine

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to send around 14 Challenger 2s to Ukraine. After weeks of diplomatic deadlock, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday approved the supply of German Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv.

Germany also allowed other allies operating Leopard 2s to re-export them to Ukraine. The US said it will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks.

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