US supports transfer of Soviet-made tanks to Ukraine forces

‘You have at least 20,000 tanks. Ukraine asked for a per cent, 1 per cent of all your tanks to be given or sold to us!’

‘This decision underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity’

UKRAINE is to receive its first wartime delivery of tanks to bolster its defences in the east, amid warnings that the region will see “heavy battles” as Russia refocuses its efforts there.

In a significant strategy shift, United States defence sources said the US would work with allies to facilitate the transfer of Soviet-made tanks, which Ukrainians already know how to use, to enable Ukraine to conduct long-range artillery strikes on Russian targets.

The US official did not disclose how many tanks will be sent, nor which countries they will come from.

However, Poland, one of the most hawkish Nato member countries when it comes to Russia, is believed to be one possible candidate. Warsaw recently ordered US M1A2 Abrams tanks to replace its Soviet T-72 battle tanks, which will be phased out of service.

The decision is in response to a direct request from president Volodymyr Zelensky late last month to Nato leaders, including Joe Biden, for more military assistance at an emergency summit in Brussels. He said the tanks were needed to lift the sieges on “our cities that are now dying: Mariupol, Berdyansk, Melitopol, others”.

“You can give us 1 per cent of all your planes, 1 per cent of all your tanks,” he added, in a passionate speech to Alliance leaders. “You have at least 20,000 tanks. Ukraine asked for a per cent, 1 per cent of all your tanks to be given or sold to us!”

His demand initially received a cool response by Nato leaders, who were reluctant to supply tanks and jets for fears of escalating the conflict beyond Ukraine’s borders. President Emmanuel Macron at the time ruled out sending tanks and warplanes to Ukraine, warning that to do so would risk dragging Nato into a war with Russia, while Boris Johnson said: “Logistically at the moment, it looks very difficult both with armour and with jets.”

Last month, Poland offered to provide Ukraine with 28 MiG jets, sent via a US airbase in Germany, but the US pulled the plug.

Now, however, the prevailing mood in Washington has shifted to thinking that the West needs to get “on the front foot”, as one diplomat told The Sunday Telegraph.

One official told The New York Times that the transfers would begin “soon”.

The move to send tanks to Ukraine reflects the beginning of a new phase in the war as the battle for the east and south heats up following Russia’s decision to pull its troops back from around Kyiv in the north.

The withdrawal has been celebrated as a victory for the Ukrainian army, but officials believe it is part of a plan to regroup and refocus efforts on capturing territory around the Donbas region, which borders Russia. General Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defence minister, said yesterday that the Russian army’s priority was the “liberation” of the Donbas, where two Russian-backed rebel regions broke away from Ukraine in 2014.

“Let us have no illusions – there are still heavy battles ahead for the south, for Mariupol, for the east of Ukraine,” Oleksiy Arestovych, a Ukrainian presidential adviser, said yesterday.

The shift in focus has led officials to warn that Ukraine will need further help to deal with what is likely to be an even more fiercely fought phase of the war. Mykhaylo Podolyak, another aide to the president, said: “Without heavy weapons we won’t be able to drive [Russia] out.”

Military assistance from countries has largely focused on defensive equipment and weapons so far.

On Friday, the US Department of Defence announced that it would set aside $300 million (£228 million) in “security assistance” for Ukraine to bolster the country’s defence capabilities, adding to the $1.6 billion Washington has committed since Russia invaded in late February.

The package includes laser-guided rocket systems, drones, ammunition, night-vision devices, tactical secure communications systems, medical supplies and spare parts.

“This decision underscores the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in support of its heroic efforts to repel Russia’s war of choice,” the Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

Speaking to Mr Zelensky last night, Mr Johnson congratulated Ukraine’s “brave” armed forces for successfully pushing back Russian forces in a number of areas across the country. The Prime Minister also “committed to continue to step up defensive support”.