On the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Federal Ministry of Defense announces that it will add four more Leopard 2-A6 main battle tanks to the already promised 14. With the deliveries from two other countries, Ukraine is getting a battalion.
Germany has promised Ukraine the delivery of four more modern Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Bundeswehr stocks. According to his ministry, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius decided to increase the total number of planned deliveries from 14 to 18 Leopard 2-A6 tanks. "With this decision, together with our Portuguese and Swedish partners, we are now able to provide a mixed Ukrainian battalion," the ministry said. A Ukrainian tank battalion consists of 31 tanks.
On the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, media reports also revealed that Poland apparently delivered the first Leopard-2 main battle tanks to Ukraine. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki will announce this later in the day, the state news agency PAP reported, citing government circles. Morawiecki is visiting Kiev on Friday to mark the first anniversary of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Ukraine is constantly demanding more tanks and other equipment from its western allies in order to be able to defend itself against Russia's war of aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed his compatriots with a militant video message on the anniversary. "We were not defeated. And we will do everything to win this year," said Zelenskyy. Defense Minister Oleksiy Resnikov said the Ukrainian army was preparing a counter-offensive.
