The Russian Embassy in London: the supply of tanks to Kyiv will intensify hostilities

The planned supply of battle tanks by the UK to Ukraine will not bring the end of hostilities closer, but will only toughen them up, tanks are unlikely to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine turn the tide on the battlefield, according to a published comments Russian embassy in London.

Earlier today it became known that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak inform Ukrainian authorities about plans to send 12 Challenger 2 tanks to Kyiv. The embassy indicated that the British government confirmed such intentions: this is stated in a press release following a telephone conversation between Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Obviously, the fundamental decision was made in advance, and its announcement is tied to the upcoming meeting in the Rammstein format soon. The UK is once again in a hurry to assert itself and become the first country in NATO in terms of arming Kyiv and escalating the conflict,” the embassy said in a commentary.

This initiative, as noted, is designed to encourage “less confrontational” Western countries to follow the example of London, providing the Armed Forces and their tanks. However, their deliveries will not bring the end of the conflict closer, according to Moscow.

“The dispatch of tanks will by no means bring the end of hostilities closer, but will contribute to their toughening, provoking more and more casualties, including among the civilian population,” the embassy said, adding that tanks “are unlikely to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine turn the tide on the battlefield,” however, they will become a legitimate target for Russian troops.

The Russian authorities have repeatedly criticized the supply of Western weapons to Kyiv. In particular, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, has repeatedly pointed out that pumping Ukraine with weapons brings NATO closer to the dangerous line of a direct military clash with Russia. Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev also noted that the Leopard tanks, which Poland is going to transfer to Kyiv, and other Western weapons will not save Ukraine.