Latest news with #M1A1Abrams
New York Post
a day ago
- Business
- New York Post
Aussies delivers US-made tanks to Kyiv, as EU signs strictest sanctions package against Putin
Australia has delivered its first shipment of US-made tanks to the Ukrainian army. The majority of the promised 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks have made their way to Ukraine, with the rest expected to be delivered in the coming months, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said Saturday. But it remains unclear how many have actually arrived in the war-torn country. The M1 Abrams is the main battle tank of the US Army — and one of the heaviest tanks in service. Advertisement 4 The M1A1 Abrams tank weighs 62 tons it is one of the heaviest and strongest tanks, according to the US army. Department of Defense 'The M1A1 tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion,' Marles said in a statement. The delivery is part of a $160 million package the Aussies are sending to help Kyiv fend off Russia's invasion. Advertisement The country is also planning to deploy a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to Europe in August, to help protect an international gateway for assistance to Ukraine. Australia is one of the largest non-NATO contributors to Ukraine. It's been sending military equipment, ammunition and aid to Kyiv since the start of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin's 2022 invasion. 4 Marles said most of the tanks have made their way to Ukraine with the rest coming in the next few months. AP The US meanwhile reshuffled its arms deliveries to free up more Patriots for Ukraine — the Pentagon's key missile defense system, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday. Advertisement And the House overwhelmingly also voted to continue providing military support to Ukraine this week, as President Trump announced 'billions of dollars' worth of weapons would be shipped to Ukraine through Washington's NATO allies. Further ratcheting up the pressure on Putin, the EU finally approved an 18th sanctions package against Russia. The package was being held back by Slovakia, but Prime Minister Robert Fico agreed to stop blocking its approval Friday. It's believed to be the toughest levied on the Kremlin since the war broke out. 'We are standing firm. The EU just approved one of its strongest sanctions package against Russia to date,' EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on X. Advertisement 4 Putin is facing his strictest sanctions package from the EU yet. AP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky applauded the move, meant to severely limit Russia's war chest. 'This decision is essential and timely, especially now, as a response to the fact that Russia has intensified the brutality of the strikes on our cities and villages,' Zelensky said on X. It sets a moving price cap on Russian crude oil, 15% below its average market price, according to EU diplomats. That means the Kremlin wouldn't be able to sell its oil for more than roughly $47.60 per barrel right now — far below the EU's previous $60 cap. But oil traders have cast doubt whether it will disrupt Russian exports, as it's unclear who's responsible for policing the cap's implementation. 4 Zelensky welcomed the latest EU sanctions package. / MEGA And Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the move. 'We have repeatedly said that we consider such unilateral restrictions illegal, we oppose them,' Peskov told reporters Friday. Advertisement The sanctions also go after more Russian shadow fleet ships, banning an additional 105 vessels from accessing EU ports, adding the total to 400. And transactions related to Russia's Nord Stream gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea will also be banned as part of the EU package, as Kyiv's allies look to pressure Putin into agreeing to a long-awaited cease-fire deal in the deadly war. With wires
Daily News Egypt
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Russia hits Ukraine with huge barrage as first Australian tanks arrive
Russia launched one of its biggest aerial barrages of the war against Ukraine overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday, while Moscow reported it had downed 87 Ukrainian drones over its own territory. The widespread attack came as Ukraine's ground forces received a long-awaited delivery of the first retired Australian M1A1 Abrams tanks. Zelenskiy said Russian forces fired some 300 drones and 30 missiles, killing at least one person in the port city of Odesa and damaging critical infrastructure in the northeastern city of Sumy. Posting a video of flaming buildings to his Telegram account, Zelenskiy wrote that the attacks in Sumy had knocked out power to thousands of homes. Russia also launched its biggest ever attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Pavlohrad early on Saturday, as part of the large wave of strikes. Pavlohrad is a strategic hub for the Dnipropetrovsk region, where Russian troops have been making advances in recent days. The Russian Defence Ministry on Saturday said it had successfully downed 87 Ukrainian drones over central, western and southern parts of the country, with 48 of them downed near the Ukrainian border in Bryansk. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin also said that air defences had downed 13 drones headed for the capital. The large-scale Russian bombardment came soon after Gen Keith Kellogg, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, flew back to Washington after a six-day visit to Kyiv. The White House announced a large-scale arms package to Ukraine this week, including additional Patriot anti-aircraft systems, to be paid for by European allies. Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev promised on Friday that Moscow would escalate its aerial attacks in response to the EU's latest sanctions package. AUSTRALIAN TANKS ARRIVE Meanwhile, the first of 49 retired Australian M1A1 Abrams tanks have arrived in Ukraine, nine months after Canberra announced they would be provided, according to Australia's ABC broadcaster. The delivery had been delayed by logistical challenges and the need for U.S. approval to transfer the American-made tanks. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said the tanks would make a 'significant contribution' to 'Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion.' The arrival, however, comes amid some concerns. U.S. officials have privately expressed unease about the tanks being 'difficult to maintain' for Ukrainian forces, while an Australian official previously noted their vulnerability to drone attacks. Despite this, Ukrainian officials have publicly welcomed the tanks, which they had specifically requested. 'Every day that these tanks do not reach the battlefield, more people are killed,' Ukraine's ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko, said. He added that Ukraine still needs more military support from Australia, including Hawkei and Bushmaster vehicles. The 49 tanks, valued at $245n, are part of a total of $1.5bn in Australian aid to Ukraine.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Ukraine Gets Major Abrams Tank Boost
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Australia has sent Ukraine the first batch of dozens of U.S.-built M1A1 Abrams tanks that it had promised Kyiv for its fight against Russian aggression, according to the Defense Ministry in Canberra. Ukraine's ally in the South Pacific announced that Kyiv had received the majority of the 49 decommissioned tanks it had pledged, with the rest scheduled to arrive later this year. The delivery follows reported delays due to initial resistance from the U.S. about the American vehicles. An Australian army M1A2 Abrams tank is loaded onto U.S Army Vessel Paulus Hook in Townsville, Australia, on July 19. An Australian army M1A2 Abrams tank is loaded onto U.S Army Vessel Paulus Hook in Townsville, Australia, on July It Matters Australia is one of Ukraine's largest non-NATO partners and has been supplying Kyiv with assistance, ammunition and defense equipment since the beginning of the war. The delivery of main battle tanks could be a battlefield boost for Ukraine as it awaits further pledges of military support from U.S. President Donald Trump. What To Know Australia is providing 49 Abrams tanks to Ukraine to help its fight against Russia as part of a pledge it made in October. The delivery was delayed because of objections from the U.S., the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported, citing unnamed defense officials. Washington had warned Canberra against sending the tanks, and Trump's decision to pause military aid earlier this year may also have added to complications, according to the Australian outlet. Experts have voiced concerns about their battlefield effectiveness due to the vulnerabilities of the tank's roof to drones. However, the Australian Defense Ministry said on Friday that most of the tanks had been shipped to Ukraine, adding to the mobility and firepower of Kyiv's forces. The rest are set to arrive in the coming months. Ukraine also awaits additional military aid pledged by Trump on July 7, when he unveiled a plan to funnel weapons to Ukraine via a NATO- and EU-backed program. Retired U.S. Vice Admiral Robert Murrett told Newsweek that Washington's decision to provide more arms to Ukraine mostly through European allies was a good step, although the Kremlin is still convinced that conditions on the ground are working in its favor. Despite high Russian losses, Moscow is not interested in a ceasefire, in spite of Kyiv's willingness to accept such a move, added Murrett, the deputy director at Syracuse University's Institute for Security Policy and Law. He continued, "Both sides are likely to sustain the fight, and keep a close eye on arms, prospective additional sanctions and military activity in the skies and front lines in Ukraine." What People Are Saying Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said: "The M1A1 Abrams tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion." Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said: "These modified M1A1 Abrams tanks will deliver more firepower and more mobility to the Ukrainian Armed Forces." What Happens Next Australia said it would ship the rest of the Abrams tanks to Ukraine later this year. Kyiv also awaits other U.S. weapons. The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that its next Patriot air defense system, promised by Trump, would be sent to Germany rather than Switzerland to speed up its transfer to Ukraine.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Australia delivers Abrams tanks to Ukraine for war with Russia
SYDNEY: Australia's government said on Saturday it had delivered M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a A$245 million ($160 million) package to help the country defend itself against Russia in their ongoing war. Australia, one of the largest non-NATO contributors to Ukraine, has been supplying aid, ammunition and defence equipment since Moscow invaded its neighbour in February 2022. Ukraine has taken possession of most of the 49 tanks given by Australia, and the rest will be delivered in coming months, said Defence Minister Richard Marles. 'The M1A1 Abrams tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion,' Marles said in a statement. Russia hands Ukraine bodies of 1,000 soldiers The tanks formed part of the A$1.5 billion ($980 million) that Canberra has provided Ukraine in the conflict, the government said. Australia has also banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia, and has sanctioned about 1,000 Russian individuals and entities. Australia's centre-left Labor government this year labeled Russia as the aggressor in the conflict and called for the war to be resolved on Kyiv's terms.
AsiaOne
2 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
Australia delivers Abrams tanks to Ukraine for war with Russia, World News
SYDNEY -Australia's government said on Saturday (July 19) it had delivered M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as part of a A$245 million (S$204 million) package to help the country defend itself against Russia in their ongoing war. Australia, one of the largest non-Nato contributors to Ukraine, has been supplying aid, ammunition and defence equipment since Moscow invaded its neighbour in February 2022. Ukraine has taken possession of most of the 49 tanks given by Australia, and the rest will be delivered in coming months, said Defence Minister Richard Marles. "The M1A1 Abrams tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion," Marles said in a statement. The tanks formed part of the A$1.5 billion that Canberra has provided Ukraine in the conflict, the government said. Australia has also banned exports of alumina and aluminium ores, including bauxite, to Russia, and has sanctioned about 1,000 Russian individuals and entities. [[nid:720163]] Australia's centre-left Labor government this year labelled Russia as the aggressor in the conflict and called for the war to be resolved on Kyiv's terms.
