On Tuesday, the 26th of September, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the delivery of long-range ATACMS missiles and Abrams tanks to Ukraine, saying that such deliveries will not change the situation on the Ukrainian battlefield, stressing that the Russian armed forces are constantly adapting to the use of new weapons, reports Reuters.
Reacting to Zelensky’s news about the arrival of US-made Abrams tanks in Ukraine, Peskov played down their significance, saying that while Abrams tanks are serious weapons, they can be destroyed in battle, like other Western tanks supplied to Ukraine. He stressed that in a conflict no tank can be considered invulnerable and said that
“these [Abrams] will also burn”.
Peskov further commented, noting that “While the Americans are escalating their engagement in this conflict, our military consistently enhances its proficiency and technological capacities to counter these missiles.”
Last Friday, the 22nd of September, NBC News reported that US officials revealed that the US would deliver long-range ATACMS missiles to Kiev. Both the White House and the Pentagon refrained from commenting on this report and neither confirmed nor denied whether the delivery of ATACMS missiles was discussed when Zelensky visited the Pentagon last Thursday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday, the 25th of September, that US-made Abrams tanks had arrived in Ukraine. He shared the news on Telegram, indicating that they were being prepared to reinforce Ukrainian brigades. However,
the exact number of tanks arriving was not disclosed.
The arrival of these American jet tanks is in response to a long-standing request from Ukraine. Washington offered more than 30 such tanks in January. In addition to Abrams tanks, European countries have already provided Ukraine with several German-made Leopards and several British Challengers.
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