The Kremlin has arrogantly dismissed the threat of US Abrams tanks arriving in Ukraine — gloating Tuesday that “these too will burn” on the battlefield.
The first batch of the American-made tanks arrived Monday, months ahead of schedule, to help Ukraine break through heavily fortified Russian defensive lines.
“All this can in no way affect the essence of the [special military operation] and its outcome,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday, using the term Russia uses to avoid admitting it is waging war.
“There is no panacea and no one type of weapon that can change the balance of power on the battlefield.
“Abrams tanks are serious weapons, but remember what the president said about other tanks made in another country,” Peskov said, referring to other Western tanks that have already been supplied to Kyiv from places like Germany.
“Well, these (Abrams) too will burn,” he said.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the tanks would not change the outcome of the war. REUTERS
Peskov dismissed the threat of US Abrams tanks arriving in Ukraine Tuesday. ZUMAPRESS.com
Several of the 31 tanks arrived in Ukraine this week. Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty ImagesUkraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that the US-made Abrams tanks had arrived in Ukraine, fulfilling a top demand of Kyiv.
Unnamed US defense officials told the New York Times that two platoons worth of tanks — between eight and 10 — were delivered, though more M1 Abrams tanks will be sent in the coming months.
Zelensky did not confirm how many of the tanks arrived, though the US is expected to deliver 31 of the vehicles over the next several weeks.
Between eight and 10 of the tanks reportedly arrived on Monday. AP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office on September 21. REUTERS
U.S.-made Abrams M1A1 tanks arrive at the port in Szczecin, Poland, June 28, 2023. Agencja Wyborcza.pl via REUTERSThe Abrams tanks will be added to Ukraine’s arsenal as the country attempts to reclaim Russian-held territory in Ukraine’s eastern and southern regions, where the fighting has dragged on incessantly for months without any major victories.
Kyiv has also repeatedly asked the Biden administration for Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to help attack and disrupt supply lines, air bases and rail networks in Russian-occupied territory.
“The Americans continue to increase their… direct involvement in this conflict, but of course, every time our military improves its skills and technical capabilities to counter these missiles,” Peskov said.
The highly anticipated shipment comes as experts caution that Ukraine’s Western allies, including the US, have stalled supplying weapons critical to the long-awaited counteroffensive, including Abrams tanks and F-16 fighter jets.
