UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Pledges Support to Ukraine with Tanks and Artillery Systems in Response to Russian Aggression

The Russian Defense Ministry on Friday claimed to have captured a town in Ukraine, prompting a response from U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. On Saturday, Sunak promised to provide tanks and artillery systems to Ukraine in response to the renewed missile attacks by Moscow targeting multiple Ukrainian cities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the infighting among the Russians over who deserved the most credit for “tactical advancement” in the town of Soledar was a sign of failure for Moscow. Sunak made the pledge to provide Challenger 2 tanks and other artillery systems after speaking to Zelensky on Saturday, according to a statement from Downing Street.

Ten people were wounded, including two children, in the southeastern city of Dnipro, where a Russian missile strike destroyed a section of a residential building, officials said. Zelensky said during his nightly address Friday that there have been “324 days of full-scale war,” and that the situation has changed for Russia. He added that this is an incentive for Ukraine to put more pressure on the occupier and to inflict greater losses on the enemy.

The U.K. has not yet provided a timeline for when the tanks and artillery systems will be delivered. However, the pledge of support from the U.K. is a clear signal of solidarity with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.