UK tanks confirmed to have been deployed in Ukraine’s Russia offensive

This week, it was confirmed that Ukraine had deployed the UK’s Challenger 2 battle tanks during its offensive in Russia. London’s delivery of 14 tanks to Ukraine in 2023 prompted similar military aid from Berlin and Washington. The vehicles are reportedly in use in the Kursk region. The UK’s Ministry of Defence asserts that Ukraine has a “clear right” to use these weapons for its self-defence, including on Russian soil.

Heavy metal: Ukrainian soldiers operate a tank near the border with Russia 

Despite such statements of support, however, the UK has not lifted restrictions on the use of its long-range Storm Shadow missiles for strikes on Russia. According to Kyiv, these are essential for protecting civilians, as airfields deep inside the country are used to store planes that go on to bomb cities across Ukraine. As the conflict continues, perhaps success on the battlefield will bolster allies’ confidence in Ukraine – especially after this week’s concerning allegations that it was a Ukrainian officer who co-ordinated the attack on the Nord Stream natural-gas pipeline last year.