President Zelensky meets US officials
Russia has deployed its Soviet-era T-62 tanks after losing more than 1,300 armoured vehicles during its invasion of Ukraine.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the tanks – that are up to 60-years-old – have been taken out of “deep storage” to be used in southern Ukraine, where Vladimir Putin’s troops are seeking to occupy seized territory.
The tanks are said by the MoD to be “particularly vulnerable” to anti-tank weapons. The British government department said that the move to use them highlights “Russia’s shortage of modern, combat-ready equipment”.
In its latest intelligence update, the MoD said: “Russian ground forces continue their attempt to surround Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, recently capturing several villages north-west of Popasna.
“Russia is pressuring the Severodonetsk pocket although Ukraine retains control of multiple defended sectors, denying Russia full control of the Donbas.”
Ukraine’s armed forces said the tanks are being used around Zaporizhzhia. Russia has lost 1,322 tanks and 29,750 troops, it also said.
