(Dan Tri) – The first group of Ukrainian soldiers trained to operate Leopard tanks in Germany is preparing to return to the battlefield in the hope that this weapon can help their army turn the tide of the conflict with Russia.
A Leopard tank (Illustration photo: AFP).
On March 13, a few days before returning home, Ukrainian soldiers practiced shooting 120mm bullets with Leopard tanks at a shooting range in Germany.
On a hill overlooking the Bergen training ground, northern Germany, Vice Admiral Herve Blejean, commander of the European Union (EU) training group, told reporters that the Ukrainian army was going through a phase.
In Bergen, German instructors were pleased with the performance of Ukrainian soldiers during the six-week intensive course.
However, Ukrainian soldiers had to abandon some of their old tactics.
`When they can use better tanks like the Leopard, they will be able to achieve a breakthrough and consider counterattacking,` Mr. Blejean said.
A Ukrainian soldier commented: `The Leopard tank will help us make the breakthroughs we need. Other Ukrainian combat units will also feel safer when they fight alongside the Leopard.`
In January, Germany and a series of European countries agreed to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks, considered one of the best weapons in Western arsenals despite concerns about the process.
Last week, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that all 18 modern Leopard 2 A6 tanks that Berlin pledged as aid would arrive in Ukraine before the end of March.
While many people hope that the Leopard 2 tank can create a breakthrough, turning the battlefield in favor of Ukraine, others are cautious.