A UK source has confirmed that Ukraine has utilized Challenger 2 tanks donated by the UK as part of its recent surprise incursion into Russian territory. The Ministry of Defence has not officially commented on the specifics of the UK weapons being used by Ukraine but reiterated that Ukraine has “a clear right” to employ UK-supplied equipment for “self-defence against Russia’s illegal attacks,” which includes operations inside Russia.
The policy governing UK-supplied weapons allows for their use in Ukraine’s offensives, with the notable exception of Storm Shadow missiles. These long-range missiles, supplied under the condition that they would not target Russian territory, have a range exceeding 150 miles, enabling Ukrainian pilots to strike from a safer distance.
During a visit to Downing Street in July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the UK to collaborate with Western allies to “remove the limits” on weapon use, advocating for long-range capabilities to compel Russia to seek peace. Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed that the UK is engaged in “intense discussions” regarding this issue but has not disclosed further details publicly.
The UK was among the first to provide Western-made main battle tanks to Ukraine, delivering 14 Challenger 2 tanks in 2023 to support its summer offensive. One of these tanks was destroyed during the operation. The recent Ukrainian incursion into Russia has seen sightings of various Western-supplied armoured vehicles within Russian borders, including US Bradley and Stryker vehicles, and German Marders. None of the supplying countries have objected to their equipment’s use in the offensive.
The secrecy surrounding Ukraine’s intentions has contributed to the surprise of the operation. Western military experts have praised the offensive for its use of “combined arms manoeuvres,” integrating troops with armoured vehicles, artillery, and drones, contrasting with previous operations impeded by Russian fortifications.
The incursion has sparked concerns in the West about potential Ukrainian losses and the risk of escalation with Russia. The Kremlin has accused the West of orchestrating the attack and using Western weapons as justification for this claim.
Ukraine’s recent advance into Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod regions has led to a state of emergency in these areas, with about 180,000 civilians in Kursk reportedly needing evacuation. The operation appears aimed at diverting Russian forces from Ukraine’s borders.
Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braze stated that a “consultation among legal experts within NATO countries” affirmed that “the right to self-defence also covers the right to counter-attack.” Former UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron had earlier stated that Ukraine “absolutely has the right to strike back at Russia,” a view that Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova interpreted as an acknowledgment of the West’s involvement in a “hybrid war” against Moscow.
The UK remains one of the largest donors of military aid to Ukraine, following the US and Germany.