![]() The Abrams tanks can hit a moving target up to 2,000 meters (1.25 miles) away while rolling across rough terrain, he said. Army veteran and senior historian with the Rand think tank, said the M1 Abrams and the Leopards will give Ukraine a “mechanized armored punching force.” “The main problem we have with our tanks is they are old,” he said.Įxpressing a preference for the Leopard 2, which he said was more suitable for Ukraine's terrain, Syrotiuk said the modern tanks had more precise targeting systems, better armor and equipment to allow nighttime operations. Ukrainian forces have had to preserve ammunition and deal with frequent breakdowns and maintenance issues, Syrotiuk said. He spoke to the AP by phone earlier this week from near the Bakhmut front. “Without the new tanks, we cannot win this war,” said Maksim Butolin, chief sergeant of the 54th Brigade's Tank Division. Though it will take months before their debut, the tanks will enable Ukraine's forces to launch counter-offensives and reduce casualties, three military commanders, including two in the army's tank division, told The Associated Press. An expected springtime Russian offensive is also looming. Ukrainian soldiers and experts said Ukrainian forces are running low on spare parts to repair old Soviet-era tanks and the specific ammunition they require while enduring relentless barrages of Russian artillery. “Tanks will help reduce casualties among our soldiers … then gain new results and win this war quicker,” said Oleksander Syrotiuk, commander of a company in the 17th Tank Brigade deployed in Bakhmut. Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines said the decision comes at a critical point. “Sincerely grateful to the chancellor and all our friends in (Germany).” Just heard about these important and timely decisions in a call with Olaf Scholz,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter. “German main battle tanks, further broadening of defense support and training missions, green light for partners to supply similar weapons. Several European countries have equipped their armies with Leopard 2 tanks, and Germany's announcement means they can give some of their stocks to Ukraine. “To liberate their land, they need to be able to counter Russia's evolving tactics and strategy on the battlefield in the very near term.” “With spring approaching, Ukrainian forces are working to defend the territory they hold and preparing for additional counter-offenses,” Biden said. “It was right, and it is important that we didn't let ourselves be driven” into the decision.īiden said European allies have agreed to send enough tanks to equip two Ukrainian tank battalions, or a total of 62 tanks. “This is the result of intensive consultations, once again, with our allies and international partners,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz told German lawmakers. put its Abrams on the table, not wanting to incur Russia's wrath without the U.S. Germany had said the Leopards would not be sent unless the U.S. decision followed Germany's agreement to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from its own stocks. will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks, reversing months of persistent arguments by Washington that they were too difficult for Ukrainian troops to operate and maintain. BERLIN (AP) - Germany and the United States announced Wednesday that they will send battle tanks to Ukraine, the first stage of a coordinated effort by the West to provide dozens of the heavy weapons to help Kyiv break combat stalemates as Russia's invasion enters its 12th month.Īmerican President Joe Biden said the U.S.
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