According to Sky News, Ukraine may have used British Challenger 2 tanks during its offensive on the Kursk Region. There is no official confirmation of this.
The British Ministry of Defence refused to comment on the details, but told reporters that there had been no change in their policy. In line with government policy, the UK has confirmed that Ukraine is free to use some British weapons in Russia.
A journalist source said that this included Challenger 2 tanks.
The journalists have no information on how many and where exactly British tanks were used in the Kursk Region. However, their source is certain that they were used.
Earlier, the UK announced that Ukraine would receive 14 of its Challenger tanks.
On Wednesday, The Times reported that former British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said that during his tenure, he authorised Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia using "any weapon [it was] given", with the exception of long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles. He suggested that the same rules applied to Ukraine's Kursk operation in Russia.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "There has been no change in UK government policy, under Article 51 of the UN Charter Ukraine has a clear right to self-defence against unlawful attacks by Russia, which does not exclude operations inside Russia. In the process of donating, we make it clear that the equipment must be used in accordance with international law."
Operation in the Kursk Region
- The Kursk operation has been underway since 6 August. Its goals in Kyiv were to protect civilians in Sumy Region, who were constantly shelled by the enemy from Kursk Region, and to damage the enemy's logistics.
- Commenting on the operation on Russian territory, Ukraine's American and European allies recognised Ukraine's right to defend itself.
- Kyiv officially confirmed the Kursk operation on 12 August.