DONETSK, January 16. /TASS/. Tanks, shipped by NATO to Ukraine, will remain in the Donbass soil as scrap metal, a DPR military-political expert Yan Gagin told TASS Monday.

"All this will remain as either scrap metal in the Donbass soil or as trophies," the expert said.

According to Gagin, Western vehicles shipped to Ukraine are mostly used, with insufficient maintenance seriously affecting their quality.

"Our forces destroy all kinds of armored vehicles rather successfully. I cannot say that [German-made] Leopards are much better than T-80s or T-90s. They are vehicles just like any other," the expert underscored.

On Sunday, the UK announced its decision to ship 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. On January 11, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that Warsaw will ship a company of Leopard tanks to Ukraine. On January 6, the US announced another package of military aid to Ukraine worth $3 billion, which will include, among other things, Bradley tracked armored vehicles and self-propelled howitzers. Earlier, Germany announced its intention to ship Marder armored vehicles, while France plans to ship AMX-10 RC wheeled tanks.