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Ukraine will soon receive M1 Abrams tanks from the United States, as Kiev's forces have made "steady" progress in their counteroffensive against Moscow's troops, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
At the beginning of the year, Washington promised Kiev these types of tanks. They are part of more than $43 billion in security aid that the US has provided to Ukraine since Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of its neighbor in February 2022.
"I am pleased to announce that the M1 Abrams tanks, which the US has previously promised [Kiev], will soon enter Ukraine," Austin said today at the launch of the Ukraine Contact Group meeting. The meeting is taking place in Germany.
The tanks will be equipped with 120 millimeter depleted uranium ammunition. Such munitions, which the US announced last month it would give to Ukraine, are controversial as they have been linked to health problems such as cancer and birth defects. These health problems have been reported in areas where depleted uranium munitions have been used in past conflicts, although it has not yet been definitively determined that they caused these problems.
Ukraine launched a counteroffensive against Russian forces in June, but the counteroffensive has been slower as Kiev's forces have faced tough defenses. Austin said the counteroffensive "continues to make steady progress."
"Ukrainian troops are breaking through the fortified lines of Russia's aggressive army," he said.
The US defense chief also welcomed Ukraine's new defense minister, Rustem Umerov, who was appointed to the position earlier this month. A US defense official said before the meeting in Germany that this meeting is an opportunity "to hear from Umerov about his vision and his priorities."
The US has led international support for Ukraine, building a coalition that supports Kiev after Russia launched its invasion. Dozens of countries participate in the Contact Group on Ukraine. Supporters of Ukraine have also provided training to Kiev's troops, while the US and other countries have imposed harsh sanctions on Russia that have affected the financial sector, the technology sector and energy exports./REL
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