Russia will destroy Leopard tanks just like Tigers did in WWII, minister warns

According to the Interior Minister, Russia will destroy Leopard 2 tanks, similar to how it defeated its predecessors Tiger tanks in World War II.

Russian state news agency Tass reported on Wednesday that Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said Russian forces would destroy German-made Leopard 2 tanks that are soon to be sent to Ukraine.

“They perfectly preserve in the memory of the modern generation the image of tigers and panthers burning on Russian soil. They will also remember the burning of modern leopards,” the minister said, according to the Tass news agency.

Kolokoltsev’s comments come shortly after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that the country is sending 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

“Germany will make Leopard 2 main battle tanks available to Ukraine – as before, in close coordination with our international allies. Chancellor Scholz explained this in a Facebook post in the Bundestag today.

In a tweet on Wednesday afternoon, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said said“German main battle tanks, further expansion of defense support & training missions, green light for partners to supply similar weapons.”

“I just heard about these important and timely decisions in a call with @OlafScholz. Sincerely grateful to the Chancellor and all our friends [Germany]’ the tweet added.

Before the German chancellor’s announcement, defense conglomerate Rheinmetall, which makes the Leopard 2 tanks, said it could supply up to 139 tanks, Reuters reported, citing German news agency RND.

On Wednesday, the US also announced that it would send new weapons to Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia. According to a senior White House official, the US will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

“First, today’s announcement that the US will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine is very much a continuation of our efforts to provide Ukraine with the capabilities it needs to continue to better defend itself, and consistent with that, representative of our long-term commitment to Ukraine’s defense needs,” the White House official said.

US President Joe Biden also confirmed during a press conference that the new tanks would be sent to Ukraine, saying they were “the most capable tanks in the world.”

“This is what helping Ukraine, defending and protecting Ukrainian land is all about. It’s not an offensive threat to Russia, there is no offensive threat to Russia,” Biden said.

news week asked the foreign ministries of Ukraine, Russia and Germany for their opinion.