Ukraine using UK-gifted tanks in Russia offensive: reports

LONDON: Tanks donated by the UK to Ukraine have been deployed as part of Kyiv’s ongoing incursion into Russia, British media reported on Thursday (Aug 15).
It is believed to be the first time the Challenger 2 tanks have been used in active combat on Russian territory, Sky News and other UK outlets said.
They did not specify how many of the tanks were thought to have been deployed by Ukraine in its surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, which began on Aug 6.
The UK Ministry of Defence declined to comment on what specific weaponry Ukraine was using, but noted “operations inside Russia” had not been precluded when the tanks and other arms were donated to Kyiv.
Moscow on Thursday said it would send more troops to defend the neighbouring border region of Belgorod amid the ongoing Ukrainian assault.
British equipment supplied to Kyiv since Russia invaded more than two years ago includes Storm Shadow cruise missiles and a squadron of 14 Challenger 2 tanks deployed early last year.
The Times reported Wednesday that former UK defence minister Ben Wallace had disclosed that during his tenure he had given permission for Ukraine to hit targets inside Russia using “whatever weapons [were] supplied to it”.