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Military operation in Ukraine

First tanks from West may arrive in Ukraine no earlier than spring, senator thinks

Vladimir Chizhov stressed that the decision to supply the tanks to Kiev was a serious new stage in the conflict’s escalation

MOSCOW, January 27. /TASS/. First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security Vladimir Chizhov thinks that Kiev may receive its first tanks from Western countries no earlier than this spring.

"Each new modification, both for Leopard tanks, and for Challengers, and for Abramses, is heavier, with some of them already at the level of 70 tons, and the delivery time is also not tomorrow. The earliest when the first of these tanks can arrive [in Ukraine] is in spring," he said at a press conference at TASS on Friday, adding that when used during this period, such heavy tanks can "sink deep" into the mud.

That said, the senator noted that he is not inclined to underestimate these tanks’ characteristics. He also said that the decision to supply the tanks to Kiev was a serious new stage in the conflict’s escalation. "This is, of course, a political gesture and so far I don’t see any signs that this is a final gesture of the kind," he specified.

On Wednesday, Washington announced its plans to supply Kiev with 31 M1 Abrams ranks. The German government confirmed that it would send 14 Leopard 2 tanks from Germany’s military stockpiles to Ukraine and issue permits to other countries for their re-export. On Wednesday, the defense ministries of Norway and Slovakia announced their plans to provide tanks to Kiev. Earlier, the UK, Poland and France said they would send their tanks to Ukraine. Following this, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said in a video address published on Telegram that Ukraine needed to expand cooperation and also receive long-range missiles and warplanes from the West.

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Foreign policy Military operation in Ukraine

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