The New York Times reported on Saturday, citing a defense source, that about 400 Ukrainian troops in Germany began training on how to maneuver US-made M1 Abrams tanks.

On Friday, about 200 Ukrainian troops began instruction for combined arms at training locations in Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels.

Another 200 reportedly began instruction on tank refueling and maintenance, a defense source told the newspapers. 

Photos of the arrival of American Abrams M1A1 tanks at the Grafenwehr training ground in Germany for the training of Ukrainian tankers. Photos were taken over ten days ago but only just released 🫂🇺🇸🫂🇺🇦💙💛 pic.twitter.com/HSLK4TS4Jm

— Fella Ian - RUSSOPHOBIC (@Ian04203236) May 26, 2023

In recent months, Western countries have been boosting military support for Kiev through the provisions of more advanced and lethal weapons systems. 

For instance, the UK supplied Kiev with depleted uranium ammo, weapons known to result in increased cancer rates and birth defects in targeted areas. 

Last week, the White House greenlighted the decision for itself and its Western partners to supply Kiev with US-made F16 jets, but that decision has been met with some reluctance in part of Germany and Portugal.

The two countries said they would not supply the aircraft to Kiev, but they would assist Ukrainian troops through other means.

Earlier in the day, Ukraine requested that Germany provide it with Taurus air-to-surface missiles, the German Defense Ministry reported.

Read more: MoF summons US diplomats over WH comments on strikes on Crimea