While the battles raged on the eastern fronts of Ukraine in particular, a number of Kyiv's western allies announced their intention to provide it with new combat vehicles and tanks. On the other hand, Moscow announced that these weapons would not change anything on the ground, but rather would become a legitimate target for the Russian forces.

It is expected that the first batch of these offensive weapons will arrive in the coming months, but this step is still the subject of internal debate in some Western capitals, and questions are being raised about its ability to change the course of the war.

With the British government announcing its intention to deliver 14 Challenger 2 tanks and other heavy weapons to Ukraine in the coming weeks, Western support for Kiev will rise to a new level.

The office of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the United Kingdom will begin in the coming days to train Ukrainian forces to use these tanks, which weigh 62.5 tons and are equipped with a 120 mm cannon.


Accelerated support

Britain's announcement comes within a series of Western pledges that open the door to supplying the Ukrainian army with heavy weapons that it had not previously obtained, despite Kyiv's repeated demands.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged - in a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - to work with international partners to accelerate the provision of equipment to Ukraine to use its recent victories in the fight to end the war in its favour.

A British government spokesman said in a statement that Sunak and his cabinet will soon be speaking to allies around the world to ramp up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and secure a better future for Ukraine.

combat vehicles

Among a series of Western pledges to support Ukraine, the United States intends to provide Kyiv with combat vehicles, "Bradley", which weighs 27.6 tons and is equipped with a 25 mm cannon and armor-piercing missiles.

France, in turn, will send AMX-10 RC light armored fighting vehicles equipped with a 105 mm cannon.

Meanwhile, pressure is increasing on Germany to provide Ukraine with heavy combat weapons and modern tanks.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced that he would hold talks during his visit to Berlin on the delivery of German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

German officials are also discussing supplying Kyiv with Marder tanks and armored vehicles, which have a 25 mm automatic cannon.


What has changed?

For months, Western countries refrained from sending advanced tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to the Ukrainians, for fear of angering Russia.

So what has changed now?

According to observers, the move may indicate a desire to speed up Ukraine's recovery of its lands, which have come under Russian control.

Experts also believe that combat vehicles will help Ukraine explore the locations of Russian forces, as well as transport soldiers and strike Russian armored vehicles.

It also provides a significant tactical advantage, especially if the Ukrainians are looking to launch an offensive to retake territory this year.

On the other hand, no one believes that the new heavy weapons will achieve superiority or single-handedly determine the course of the war.


legitimate goals

On the Russian side, in contrast, Moscow believes that new heavy weapons will not achieve superiority or single-handedly determine the course of the war in Ukraine.

The Kremlin has warned that Western plans to supply Kyiv with heavier weapons will prolong the war, and will not make a radical change on the ground in favor of the Ukrainians.

The Russian embassy in Britain replied that the British "Challenger 2" tanks will not help the Ukrainian forces change the situation on the ground, but will become a legitimate target for the Russian forces.

It indicated that sending these tanks would not bring the end of hostilities closer, but rather would contribute to their escalation, causing more casualties, including among civilians.