Russia invasion fears as Britain sends 2,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine

[aziqbal]

Russia invasion fears as Britain sends 2,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine
Sky News understands that "several flights" between the UK and Ukraine have taken off since Monday, with flight-tracking software detecting an RAF C-17 transport aircraft moving between the two.

Deborah Haynes
Security and Defence Editor @haynesdeborah
Thursday 20 January 2022 17:16, UK

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0:18




Play Video - UK weapons arrive in Ukraine

UK weapons arrive in Ukraine

Why you can trust Sky News
Britain's armed forces have flown some 2,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine this week amid fears of an imminent, new Russian invasion.
British surveillance aircraft have also been spotted.

Open source flight-tracking software has plotted Royal Air Force C-17 transport aircraft flying back and forth between the UK and Ukraine.
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[IMG alt="Service members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces gather near a BM-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launcher during tactical military exercises at a shooting range in the Kherson region, Ukraine, January 19, 2022. Picture taken January 19, 2022. Ukrainian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
"]https://e3.365dm.com/22/01/768x432/...ypass-service-worker&20220120184054[/IMG]0:28




Play Video - UK 'stands squarely' behind Ukraine, says PM

UK 'stands squarely' behind Ukraine, says PM
Sky News understands that "several" flights have taken place since Monday.
The Daily Mail first reported that the UK had sent 2,000 anti-tank missile launchers in the airlifts. This figure is thought to be accurate.

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Image:A British military cargo C-17 plane unloads anti-tank weapons in Ukraine
George Allison, of the UK Defence Journal, a website focused on defence news, posted on Twitter a time-lapse of the flights, which he said began on Monday.

The UK is understood to have gifted the Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon, (NLAW), which is described by its manufacturers as "the first ever single soldier missile system that rapidly knocks out any Main Battle Tank in just one shot by striking it from above".


The movement of weapons came after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced to parliament on Monday that Britain would increase its military support to Ukraine, which also included an increase in British military personnel on the ground as trainers.
"We have taken the decision to supply Ukraine with light, anti-armour, defensive weapon systems," he said.
[IMG alt="Service members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces gather near a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher during tactical military exercises at a shooting range in the Kherson region, Ukraine, January 19, 2022. Picture taken January 19, 2022. Ukrainian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
"]https://e3.365dm.com/22/01/768x432/...pg?bypass-service-worker&20220120184054[/IMG]
Image:A BM-21 'Grad' multiple rocket launcher is pictured in Kherson, Ukraine on Wednesday
"A small number of UK personnel will also provide early-stage training for a short period of time, within the framework of Operation Orbital, before then returning to the UK."
UK insists military support poses 'no threat to Russia'
Operation Orbital is the name of a British training mission in Ukraine that was set up in 2015 following Russia's annexation of Crimea the previous year and backing of an insurgency in the east of the country.
[IMG alt="Service members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces gather near BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers during tactical military exercises at a shooting range in the Kherson region, Ukraine, January 19, 2022. Picture taken January 19, 2022. Ukrainian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
"]https://e3.365dm.com/22/01/768x432/...pg?bypass-service-worker&20220120133714[/IMG]
Image:Military assistance is being offered on a 'short-range' basis
Mr Wallace added: "Let me be clear: this support is for short-range, and clearly defensive weapons capabilities; they are not strategic weapons and pose no threat to Russia.
"They are to use in self-defence and the UK personnel providing the early-stage training will return to the UK after completing it."
[IMG alt="Service members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces gather near vehicles, including BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers, during tactical military exercises at a shooting range in the Kherson region, Ukraine, January 19, 2022. Picture taken January 19, 2022. Ukrainian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
"]https://e3.365dm.com/22/01/768x432/...pg?bypass-service-worker&20220120133525[/IMG]
Image:Military exercises take place at a shooting range in the Kherson region, of Ukraine
But Russia viewed the move with suspicion.
The Russian Embassy to the UK posted on Twitter: "It is crystal clear that UK shipment of lethal weapons to Ukraine will only fuel the crisis."

Russia-Ukraine tensions: UK sends 30 elite troops and 2,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine amid fears of Russian invasion

British surveillance aircraft have also been spotted as part of a quiet but notable build-up of support to Ukraine's military by the UK.

news.sky.com

 

[Xone]

Ukraine may need some sort of anti-aircraft or anti-drone weapons more than anti-tank. as of now, the war has radically changed. Air supremacy is the primary object of any offensive operation, In case Russians intend to invade Ukraine, which they do, they will go with an air attack. Tanks and artillery will enter at a much later stage. by that time there may be left no one to pick up these anti-tank weapons to use against the invading Russians.

 

[TigerOfMysore]

Russia invasion fears as Britain sends 2,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine
Sky News understands that "several flights" between the UK and Ukraine have taken off since Monday, with flight-tracking software detecting an RAF C-17 transport aircraft moving between the two.

Deborah Haynes
Security and Defence Editor @haynesdeborah
Thursday 20 January 2022 17:16, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

0:18




Play Video - UK weapons arrive in Ukraine

UK weapons arrive in Ukraine

Why you can trust Sky News
Britain's armed forces have flown some 2,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine this week amid fears of an imminent, new Russian invasion.
British surveillance aircraft have also been spotted.

Open source flight-tracking software has plotted Royal Air Force C-17 transport aircraft flying back and forth between the UK and Ukraine.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
[IMG alt="Service members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces gather near a BM-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launcher during tactical military exercises at a shooting range in the Kherson region, Ukraine, January 19, 2022. Picture taken January 19, 2022. Ukrainian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
"]https://e3.365dm.com/22/01/768x432/...ypass-service-worker&20220120184054[/IMG]0:28




Play Video - UK 'stands squarely' behind Ukraine, says PM

UK 'stands squarely' behind Ukraine, says PM
Sky News understands that "several" flights have taken place since Monday.
The Daily Mail first reported that the UK had sent 2,000 anti-tank missile launchers in the airlifts. This figure is thought to be accurate.

Advertisement

Image:A British military cargo C-17 plane unloads anti-tank weapons in Ukraine
George Allison, of the UK Defence Journal, a website focused on defence news, posted on Twitter a time-lapse of the flights, which he said began on Monday.

The UK is understood to have gifted the Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon, (NLAW), which is described by its manufacturers as "the first ever single soldier missile system that rapidly knocks out any Main Battle Tank in just one shot by striking it from above".


The movement of weapons came after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced to parliament on Monday that Britain would increase its military support to Ukraine, which also included an increase in British military personnel on the ground as trainers.
"We have taken the decision to supply Ukraine with light, anti-armour, defensive weapon systems," he said.
[IMG alt="Service members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces gather near a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher during tactical military exercises at a shooting range in the Kherson region, Ukraine, January 19, 2022. Picture taken January 19, 2022. Ukrainian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
"]https://e3.365dm.com/22/01/768x432/...pg?bypass-service-worker&20220120184054[/IMG]
Image:A BM-21 'Grad' multiple rocket launcher is pictured in Kherson, Ukraine on Wednesday
"A small number of UK personnel will also provide early-stage training for a short period of time, within the framework of Operation Orbital, before then returning to the UK."
UK insists military support poses 'no threat to Russia'
Operation Orbital is the name of a British training mission in Ukraine that was set up in 2015 following Russia's annexation of Crimea the previous year and backing of an insurgency in the east of the country.
[IMG alt="Service members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces gather near BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers during tactical military exercises at a shooting range in the Kherson region, Ukraine, January 19, 2022. Picture taken January 19, 2022. Ukrainian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
"]https://e3.365dm.com/22/01/768x432/...pg?bypass-service-worker&20220120133714[/IMG]
Image:Military assistance is being offered on a 'short-range' basis
Mr Wallace added: "Let me be clear: this support is for short-range, and clearly defensive weapons capabilities; they are not strategic weapons and pose no threat to Russia.
"They are to use in self-defence and the UK personnel providing the early-stage training will return to the UK after completing it."
[IMG alt="Service members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces gather near vehicles, including BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers, during tactical military exercises at a shooting range in the Kherson region, Ukraine, January 19, 2022. Picture taken January 19, 2022. Ukrainian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
"]https://e3.365dm.com/22/01/768x432/...pg?bypass-service-worker&20220120133525[/IMG]
Image:Military exercises take place at a shooting range in the Kherson region, of Ukraine
But Russia viewed the move with suspicion.
The Russian Embassy to the UK posted on Twitter: "It is crystal clear that UK shipment of lethal weapons to Ukraine will only fuel the crisis."

Russia-Ukraine tensions: UK sends 30 elite troops and 2,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine amid fears of Russian invasion

British surveillance aircraft have also been spotted as part of a quiet but notable build-up of support to Ukraine's military by the UK.

news.sky.com

This is a serious provocation on the part of the UK.

 

[Tshering22]

I wonder why is Britain so actively participating against Russia. There have been almost no conflicts between the two countries except for the last uproar over Alexandr Navalny and that polonium assassination case. UK should know better to avoid conflicts at a time when there are enough troubles already in Europe.

 

[beijingwalker]

I wonder why is Britain so actively participating against Russia. There have been almost no conflicts between the two countries except for the last uproar over Alexandr Navalny and that polonium assassination case. UK should know better to avoid conflicts at a time when there are enough troubles already in Europe.

UK is also actively provoke China, which is UK 's biggest trading partner, isn't the reason so obvious?

 

[BHAN85]

BBC fictional documentary about what would happen in a WWIII started in East Europe

Sometimes I think UK state is split in 2 bands,
1) The puppet, American c*cks*cker, corrupt, short-term, brainless band, the people who support news like that.
2) The sovereign, smart, long-term vision, the band who launched Brexit.