No 10 backs Ukraine’s effectiveness with British tanks, despite Kremlin’s threat

Downing Street has expressed confidence that Ukraine will use British tanks effectively after Russia claimed the Challenger 2s “will burn” on the battlefield. No 10 said

there is a “plethora of evidence” showing Volodymyr Zelensky’s troops have used UK-supplied weapons successfully and minsters fully expected them to continue. The Kremlin

has sought to downplay the significance of the UK’s move to supply increasingly more advanced weapons to aid the resistance. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said “these tanks are

burning and will burn just like the rest”, claiming the supplies were an attempt to draw out the conflict. But Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “We have seen very

clearly that the Ukrainian armed forces have been very effective with the equipment that we have provided to them. “I think there is a plethora of evidence for that and we

are confident they will do so again.” Mr Sunak tweeted: “We’re accelerating our support to Ukraine with the most significant UK package of combat power to

date. “Working intensively with our allies and partners, we will ensure Ukrainians can defend themselves, press their advantage, win this war and secure a lasting

peace.” The Prime Minister hopes the UK’s intensifying support will increase the pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and galvanise support among Western

allies.