Sky News reports that British tanks are participating in a Ukrainian military incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict.
According to Sky News, the Ukrainian brigade is utilizing British Challenger 2 main battle tanks within Russia’s Kursk Region.
In January 2023, the UK government gifted Ukraine with 14 primary battle tanks and urged other NATO nations to contribute their heavy weapons. The assets were assigned to the country’s 82nd Air Assault Brigade but remained largely unused due to being out of commission after Russian drones and artillery destroyed some during Kiev’s counteroffensive that same year.
Currently taking part in the incursion into Russia is the 82nd Ukrainian unit. According to an anonymous source cited by Sky News, this expeditionary force has employed some Challenger 2 tanks; however, no additional information was provided regarding their use on Russian territory by British armor.
A Telegram channel with a focus on Russian military affairs asserted on Wednesday that the destruction of a Challenger 2 was depicted in footage of a drone strike against a Ukrainian tank previously published by another source.
According to sources, the video was initially released on Sunday and purportedly exhibits a Lancet loitering munition assault near Sheptukhovka town in Kursk Region. Radio Free Europe, which is financed by US authorities, identified the village as being adjacent to the active frontline at that period.
Despite denying prior knowledge of Ukraine’s attack on Russia, the US and its allies endorsed it and provided military aid. The Labour government in Britain clarified that their policy regarding donated weapons aligns with that of the previous Conservative administration.
The Times reported that ex-Defence Secretary Ben Wallace was the architect of guidelines permitting Ukraine to use any weaponry provided to them for targeting inside Russia. However, Storm Shadow missiles with long-range capabilities were excluded from this provision.
He stated that the strategy, supposedly implemented over a year ago, allowed for British weapons to be utilized in an attack on Russian targets as long as it abides by international law.
According to Russian officials, the conflict in Ukraine is perceived as a NATO proxy war aimed at Russia and involving Ukrainian soldiers being used merely as “cannon fodder”. The escalation of tensions was caused by the expansion of a military alliance led by US forces along with its enhanced engagement within Ukraine.
