Britain could be the first country to send battle tanks to Ukraine in a move to encourage Western allies to follow suit in the bid to end the war with Russia.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is understood to been keen on the idea of sending British tanks in aid of Ukraine and reportedly spoke to Ukrainian counterpart Volodymr Zelensky last week.
According to The Telegraph, the UK is contemplating its support to Mr Zelensky with Challenger II - the main battle tank in the British Army.
It comes after two aid workers went missing in the Donetsk region of Ukraine as the war continues to rage nearly a year since Russia first invaded.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and Rishi Sunak have made 'concrete decisions' to 'intensify our efforts to bring victory' (AFP via Getty Images)Andrrew Bagshaw, 48, and Christopher Parry, 28, were helping evacuate people near Soledar, close to Bakhmut, before disappearing.
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A source to The Telegraph has said that discussions over increased British support has taken place "for weeks", although no final decision has been made yet. It is thought that up to 12 Challenger II tanks could be sent to Ukraine.
The UK could send up to 12 Challenger II battle tanks (Getty Images)Mr Zelensky said he and the British Prime Minister had made "concrete decisions" to "intensify our efforts to bring victory closer this year", with France, Germany and the United States also seemingly on board with helping Ukraine.
US president Joe Biden pledged $3 billion in military aid, including 50 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, while Germany offered 40 Marder vehicles last Friday. France said it would send an unspecified number of AMX-10 armoured combat vehicles to the eastern European country.
Leopard II tanks, which are in service with many NATO allies, could also be supplied to Ukraine with Poland and new recruits Finland keen to send over their tanks.
France, Germany and the United States could supply support to help end the war with Russia (Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a former commanding officer in the Royal Tank Regiment, said: "Tanks are best used for 'shock action', where their firepower and movement can dislocate and rout an enemy.
"I suspect that the very impressive Ukrainian army will show the Russians a thing or two about tank warfare if we give them modern Western tanks.
"Combined with the armoured fighting vehicles the US and the French have already offered, this force could provide the punch needed to knock the Russians out of Ukraine."
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