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BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli aggression targets building 9D of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) HQs
Fars News Agency, citing informed sources: The Iranian Armed Forces used the Kheibar-Shekan, Emad, Ghadr, and Fattah missiles in their attacks on the Israeli entity today
Sirens sound from the occupied Golan Heights to Akka and Nahariya
Sirens sound again in the occupied Golan Heights and al-Jalil
Israeli media: Power outages reported in several settlements following a missile attack targeting an infrastructure facility
Israeli media: Strategic location in the south likely hit
Israeli media outlet: Reports of missiles falling in at least 7 areas, including Askalan, Safad, and Isdud
Israeli media: Sirens sounding non-stop across 'Israel' with explosions heard throughout the area
Sirens sound again in the south
Israeli media platform: About 4 missile salvoes were launched across 'Israel'

UK PM agrees to send squadron of tanks to Ukraine

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 14 Jan 2023 23:16
3 Min Read

UK PM Rishi Sunak tells Ukrainian President that London would send Kiev 12 Challenger 2 tanks.

  • x
  • UK-made Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank
    UK-made Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, during which he told him that London would send Kiev 12 Challenger 2 tanks.

"The Prime Minister outlined the UK’s ambition to intensify our support to Ukraine, including through the provision of Challenger 2 tanks and additional artillery systems," Sunak's office said.

Sunak and Zelensky also agreed on "the need to seize on this moment with an acceleration of global military and diplomatic support to Ukraine," in particular, welcoming Poland and other countries' commitment to start sending tanks to Kiev.

Read: Western armored vehicles to Ukraine: breakthrough or stepback?

Earlier in the day, the Sun newspaper reported, citing sources in the UK government, that out of 12 tanks pledged by Sunak, four would be sent immediately and eight shortly afterward.  

Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in London said that the decision to send modern samples of heavy armor to Kiev was made "to persuade other, less belligerent Western countries to follow suit and provide their own tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces."

Related News

Putin will have to 'come to the table': UK's Starmer

West's support for 'Israel' threatens regional, intl. security: Iran

"As for the Challenger 2 tanks, they will hardly help the Ukrainian military turn the tide in the field. Yet they will become legitimate large-scale targets for the Russian forces," the statement read.  

Read: Ukrainian soldiers could be preparing chemical attack: Russian embassy

Ukraine has raised fears of an alleged anticipated Russian attack in the spring, prompting its Western allies to commit to supplying Kiev with heavier weapons, including modern Western-made tanks, which were never part of earlier arms aid packages.

Late last year, The Telegraph newspaper reported that the United Kingdom intended to increase defense spending by around 1.5 billion pounds ($1.8 billion) in light of the Ukraine war. UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt is expected to announce the increase for the fiscal year 2025 in the spring of 2023.

In late November, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed that his country would stand by Kiev's side "until Ukraine has won" during his first visit to the Ukrainian capital since taking office.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, revealed in December that the West had supplied more than 350 tanks, 700 artillery systems, 100 multiple launch rocket systems, 30 helicopters, at least 5,000 drones, and 1,000 armored fighting vehicles to Ukraine since the start of Ukraine war.

Total foreign financial assistance to Ukraine amounted to almost $100 billion, Gerasimov added.

  • UK Prime Minister
  • Rishi Sunak
  • Volodymyr Zelensky
  • United Kingdom
  • Ukraine
  • supply arms

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Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

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  • 19 Jun 2025

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