Ukrainian soldiers have landed in the UK to learn how to use British Challenger 2 tanks against their Russian invaders.
Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) shared photographs of people exiting an RAF plane on Sunday to announce the arrivals.
The troops will begin training on Monday, the British government said.
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.#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/OLKtllePzN— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) January 29, 2023
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The MoD tweeted: “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.”
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”.
Soon to be a regular sight prowling the fields of Ukraine.
📸 A Challenger 2 and a Leopard 2 on exercise in Poland.
🔜 🐆#WeStandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/X14aH6cPxE— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) January 25, 2023
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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”.
British prime minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to send around 14 Challenger 2s to Ukraine.
Delighted Germany joins the UK, France & Poland in sending tanks to Ukraine. It is time for Russia to realise that the International community is increasingly determined to help Ukraine resist their barbaric and illegal invasion. 🇬🇧 🇫🇷🇩🇪 🇺🇸🇵🇱🇺🇦
— Rt. Hon Ben Wallace MP (@BWallaceMP) January 25, 2023
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.
