Britain is sending anti-tank systems and instructors to Ukraine as a signal to the Kremlin

 

 The United Kingdom has begun supplying new light anti-tank weapons to Ukraine in response to "Russia's increasingly threatening behavior." This was announced at a meeting of the House of Commons by the Minister of Defense of the United Kingdom Ben Wallace, writes The Guardian.

London is stepping up military aid to Kiev, while Moscow continues to deploy troops along its western borders. In particular, the Kremlin is sending troops for training to neighboring Belarus, which some experts say is "the most likely route of invasion" in Ukraine, the newspaper said.

 "We have decided to supply Ukraine with light anti-tank defense weapons systems," the minister said. He added that a "small number" of British troops would help Kiev forces seize the equipment.

"Let me be clear: these weapon systems are designed for short range and are obviously for defense purposes. They are not strategic and do not threaten Russia; they should be used for self-defense, "Wallace said.

However, these words of the British minister are unlikely to convince Moscow. Not so long ago, Vladimir Putin criticized Turkey, which sold anti-tank drones to Ukraine, and called the deal a "provocation," according to The Guardian.

 Sources in the publication of the British Ministry of Defense did not disclose details of which systems were sold to Ukraine. But experts say it's a new generation of light anti-tank weapons with a range of several hundred meters.

The British systems have similar capabilities, but are lower in power than the American Javelins, which Washington has been supplying to Kiev since 2018. In theory, they are able to disable a tank on top strike, the publication emphasizes.

 During the speech, Wallace also promised to invite his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu to bilateral talks in London, although it is not yet clear whether the meeting will take place. "We are ready to discuss issues related to mutual security concerns and to cooperate constructively and in good faith," said the British minister.

Tobias Eloud, chairman of the Tory Parliamentary Defense Committee, asked Wallace what additional support NATO would provide if Putin "gave the green light to the invasion." In response, the minister expressed hope that the announcement of the supply of British weapons to Ukraine would be a signal to the Kremlin.

 "I hope - because I think President Putin has not yet made a final decision - but I hope that this (the sale of anti-tank weapons to Kiev) is enough to repel the Kremlin," Wallace said. He also suggested that a "united front of sanctions" and "the resilience of the Ukrainians" would force Moscow to think about the consequences of further action.

"I have visited Ukraine five times since 2016 and I know that Ukrainians are a proud people who will rise up and fight for their country, for democracy and freedom," the minister said. "Any invasion will not be seen as a 'liberation', but as an occupation, and I fear that this could lead to a huge loss of life on all sides."

 The new arms sale was a continuation of existing British military commitments. Until recently, London supplied Kiev with ships and naval equipment, announcing last year a deal worth £ 1.7 billion for the supply of two minesweepers and the joint construction of eight ships for the Black Sea Fleet, notes The Guardian.