On Sunday, Ukrainian soldiers landed in the UK to learn how to use British Challenger 2 tanks against the Russian invaders.
The Ministry of Defense has shared photographs of the arrival of the soldiers leaving an RAF plane that took them to British territory.
The government reports that the troops will begin training this very Monday. The Ministry of Defense tweeted: ‘Ukrainian tank crews have arrived in the UK to begin training for their continued fight against Russia.’
The Ministry of Defense tweeted continued: “The UK will provide Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine along with other partner countries, thus demonstrating the strength of international support for Ukraine.”
On Thursday, Defense Minister Alex Chalk announced before the House of Commons that the UK would start training Ukrainian soldiers to use and repair tanks “from Monday, 30 January”.
He said the “intent” is for the Challenger 2s to arrive in Ukraine “at the end of March.”
Before that, Chalk assured that “a really important training program will be carried out, not only for the crews of the tanks that are going to operate this vehicle but also for those who will be in charge of its maintenance.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised to send some 14 Challenger 2s to Ukraine. After weeks of the diplomatic blockade, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday approved the supply of German Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Kyiv.
Germany has also allowed other allies operating Leopard 2s to re-export them to Ukraine. The United States said it would send 31 M1 Abrams tanks.
