Italy plans to purchase 133 new German-built Leopard tanks and upgrade 125 of its aging Ariete tanks in order to enhance its land capabilities amid the Ukraine conflict. The country currently has 200 Ariete tanks, of which only 50 are operational. The purchase of the Leopard tanks, along with the upgrade of the Arietes, is estimated to cost around 8 billion euros. Italy aims to meet NATO requirements for more than 250 battle tanks and hopes that the acquisition will facilitate its involvement in the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System initiative.
Russia's Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu claimed that Russian forces have destroyed all 16 Leopard tanks supplied to Ukraine by Poland and Portugal, which amounts to 100 percent of the tanks of this type. Shoigu also stated that Russian forces continue to inflict damage on the enemy, significantly reducing its offensive potential. In response to these losses, Ukraine has requested more Leopard tanks from Germany, while Denmark and the Netherlands have purchased 14 Leopard tanks for Ukraine.
Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, announced during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Spain will supply Ukraine with four Leopard tanks, armored personnel carriers, and a mobile field hospital to assist in the ongoing conflict. Spain has also provided various types of assistance to over 650 Ukrainian citizens, including advanced training for therapists and specialists in Spain to improve treatment and rehabilitation.
Belgium has approved its 15th security assistance package to Ukraine worth 11 million euros, which includes sending M113 armored personnel carriers and four Leopard 2 tanks. The assistance is part of the coordination between NATO member states that are part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and meets specific requests from Ukraine. Belgium has previously announced the transfer of 105mm artillery rounds worth EUR 32.4 million to Ukraine, bringing the total amount of Belgian security assistance to Ukraine to 306 million euros.
Belgium has approved its 15th security assistance package to Ukraine worth €11m, which includes the transfer of M113 tracked armored personnel carriers and four Leopard 2 tanks. The funds will be used to send decommissioned M113s to Ukraine, which will be brought to working condition before being sent. The aid package is part of the coordination between NATO member states that are part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and meets specific requests from Ukraine.
Ukrainian troops are using their superior optics, including thermal night-vision gear, to launch successful night operations against Russian-backed forces in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk Oblasts. The Ukrainian counteroffensive, which began on June 4, has seen a shift to after-dark operations, allowing them to take control of the darkness. The Leopard 2 tanks, operated by the 33rd Mechanized Brigade and 4th Tank Brigade, have proven effective in long-range shooting matches, especially at night. Despite some losses, the Ukrainian forces are making progress along several axes in the region.
Russia claimed to have destroyed eight German-made Leopard tanks in Ukraine with a missile strike, but it turned out to be a video of agricultural equipment being hit. Military experts and Twitter users quickly pointed out the inconsistencies in the video, including the fact that the vehicles were stationary and had wheels instead of tracks. The longer version of the video suggests that it was merely a military test, and even pro-Kremlin channels mocked the claim as propaganda.
Russia's Defence Ministry released video footage of what it said were German-made Leopard tanks and U.S.-made Bradley Fighting Vehicles captured by Russian forces in a fierce battle with Ukrainian troops. The vehicles were captured on the Zaporizhzhia front in southern Ukraine, according to the ministry. Ukraine said on Monday its troops had recaptured a string of villages from Russian forces along an approximately 100-km (60-mile) front in the southeast since starting its long-anticipated counteroffensive last week.
Germany will provide Ukraine with a 2.7 billion euro military aid package, including 30 Leopard tanks, four Iris-T air defence systems, 20 Marder armoured personnel carriers, 200 reconnaissance drones, 100 armoured vehicles, and a large quantity of munitions.
Spain has shipped six Leopard tanks to Ukraine, with a total of 10 to be sent, as Western allies ramp up the supply of military hardware to Ukraine in preparation for a potential renewed Russian offensive this spring. The model of tank Spain is shipping is among the older ones the country possesses. Germany, Norway, Portugal, Greece and Finland are also planning to send tanks to Ukraine.
Six Leopard 2A4 tanks have left Spain by ship for Ukraine as part of Western military aid to help Kyiv fight against Russia's invasion. Spain has committed to sending a total of 10 tanks, with the remaining four currently being repaired. The US has promised 31 Abrams tanks, while Germany has committed Leopard tanks, and NATO countries have pledged to send a total of 48 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Germany, Poland, and Ukraine have signed an agreement to establish a hub in Poland to repair Leopard tanks used by Ukraine to fight Russian forces. The hub, which costs around 150-200 million euros ($384 million) a year, could begin operations at the end of May. Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said that all members agreed that they saw Ukraine as a future member of NATO, but the focus now had to be on supporting Ukraine on the battlefield.
Denmark and the Netherlands are teaming up to provide Ukraine with 14 Leopard 2 battle tanks worth €134 million, in addition to the 100 Leopard 1 tanks already donated. The Leopard 2s are considered one of the most advanced tanks produced and have been repeatedly requested by Kyiv. The campaign to "Free the leopards!" and pressure from European governments helped secure the donation. Denmark has also provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine worth almost €200 million since the invasion.
Germany has delivered 18 Leopard tanks to Ukraine, providing Kyiv with much-needed heavy weaponry against Russia. The delivery of what Chancellor Olaf Scholz said were "very modern" German-made battle tanks comes some two months after Berlin finally gave the green light for them to be sent. About 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles have also arrived in Ukraine. The German and Dutch cabinets held a special joint session in the port city of Rotterdam on Monday at the huge, mirrored depot of the Boijmans Van Beuningen art museum.
