Ukraine to get ‘double’ the number of Challenger 2 tanks than Britain originally promised ‘as a result of Zelensky’s visit’, Ukrainian ambassador claims

• Vadym Prystaiko made the comments during a radio interview 
• Ministry of Defence says there are currently no plans to increase the number 

Ukraine is set to receive ‘double’ the number of Challenger 2 tanks than Britain originally promised to send, according to the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK. 

Vadym Prystaiko has said that Britain will double the original 14 tanks that were going to be sent to aid Ukraine’s fight against Russia following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the UK in February. 

The ambassador’s comments were made during an interview with the European broadcaster Radio Liberty. 

Prystaiko said: ’14 tanks were promised to us and as a result of President Zelensky’s visit, it was agreed that this number will double’.

A Challenger II tank is seen at a military facility in the UK 

Ukranian ambassador Vadym Prystaiko has said the UK will ‘double’ the number of Challenger 2 tanks that they were originally going to send

Describing the moment Britain originally promised to send the tanks, he called it a ‘breakthrough’ as it was ‘necessary to move the reluctance of all other allies’. 

Prystaiko also explained that the UK has offered to more than double military training efforts throughout 2023 as the war in Ukraine continues.

He alleged as well that Britain will offer 30 heavy guns to the frontline. 

The Ministry of Defence said that there are currently no plans to increase the number of tanks over the agreed number of 14 although the defence secretary previously said that Britain was open to extending it.

Defence secretary Ben Wallace has previously said Britain was open to extending the number of tanks being sent to Ukraine 

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