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Zelensky says first Abrams tanks delivered to Ukraine

According to earlier reports, the delivery was made months ahead of schedule

MOSCOW, September 25. /TASS/. The first batch of US-made Abrams tanks have arrived in Ukraine, said Vladimir Zelensky, the country’s president.

"Abramses are already in Ukraine and are getting prepared to reinforce our brigades," he said on Telegram, without elaborating on how many were received.

The New York Times first broke the news earlier on Monday, citing two US officials. According to the newspaper, the delivery was made months ahead of schedule. It also reported that the remaining tanks would arrive in Ukraine within the next few months.

US President Joe Biden announced plans to deliver Abrams tanks to Ukraine during talks with Zelensky on September 21. The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate at the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Kirill Budanov, conceded in an interview with the War Zone news website that the tanks can be used only for a limited range of well-prepared operations, as they will not last long in a typical combat.

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Ukraine crisis Ukraine United States Vladimir Zelensky

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