KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday that his country had received a shipment of US Abrams battle tanks, providing a significant boost to Ukraine’s forces engaged in a counteroffensive against Russian troops.
The move comes after Kyiv initiated an effort to reclaim territory from Russian forces in June, bolstering their military capabilities with the establishment of assault battalions and the receipt of promised weaponry from Western nations.
In a statement posted on social media, President Zelensky expressed his satisfaction with the delivery, saying, “Good news from Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Abrams are already in Ukraine and are preparing to reinforce our brigades.”
However, specific details regarding the number of tanks received and the timeline for their deployment to the front lines were not provided by President Zelensky.
US Pledges to Provide 31 Abrams Tanks to Ukraine
The United States had pledged to supply Ukraine with 31 Abrams tanks at the beginning of the year as part of a broader commitment of over $43 billion in security assistance over the preceding 18 months. Additionally, US officials had indicated that these tanks would be equipped with 120 mm armor-piercing depleted uranium rounds.
The decision to provide Abrams tanks to Ukraine marks a significant shift in policy, as American defense officials had previously expressed reservations about their suitability for Ukrainian forces, citing their complexity.
