VOLODYMYR Zelensky will "move towards victory much faster" as the UK "intensifies support" by providing Ukraine with Challenger 2 tanks.
Ukraine's Minister of Defence, Oleksii Reznikov said: “A decision has been made: Ukraine Army will receive Challenger 2 tanks. This was agreed upon by President Zelensky & Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
"With NATO-style tanks, we will move towards victory much faster."
The move looks to have angered Moscow as the Russian Embassy in the UK released a statement claiming the move will "serve to intensify combat operations".
The embassy said: "Bringing tanks to the conflict zone, far from drawing the hostilities to a close, will only serve to intensify combat operations, generating more casualties, including among the civilian population."
Read our Ukraine war blog below for the latest news…
Defence chiefs in Ukraine say a major offensive is likely when the weather improves, with heavy fighting expected in March.
Western officials have previously said both Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s Russia are locked in a race to build up their armed forces ahead of any offensive.
The UK's MoD has confirmed its "commitment to Ukraine remains steadfast".
It comes as a group of four Challenger 2 tanks will be delivered to eastern Europe immediately, with a further eight following shortly afterwards.
Russian forces have lost a further 530 troops within the past 24 hours, Ukraine's Armed Forces has claimed.
The continued losses total 114,660 since the war started.
Ukraine claims that they managed to destroy another 13 vehicles and fuel tanks.
Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked Rishi Sunak after it was announced that the UK would be sending Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Zelensky Tweeted: "Always strong support of the UK is now impenetrable and ready for challenges.
"In a conversation with the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, I thanked for the decisions that will not only strengthen us on the battlefield, but also send the right signal to other partners."
Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the UK will provide Ukraine with Challenger 2 tanks whilst on a call to Zelensky.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: "The leaders reflected on the current state of Russia's war in Ukraine, with successive Ukrainian victories pushing Russian troops back and compounding their military and morale issues.
"They agreed on the need to seize on this moment with an acceleration of global military and diplomatic support to Ukraine.
"The prime minister outlined the UK's ambition to intensify our support to Ukraine, including through the provision of Challenger 2 tanks and additional artillery systems.
"The prime minister and President Zelenskyy welcomed other international commitments in this vein, including Poland's offer to provide a company of Leopard tanks.
"The prime minister stressed that he and the whole UK government would be working intensively with international partners to deliver rapidly the kind of support which will allow Ukraine to press their advantage, win this war and secure a lasting peace."
The UK's Ministry of Defence has claimed that Russia has launched 10 vessels from a Black Sea base.
The MoD said: "On 11 January 2023, a group of at least 10 vessels of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet (BSF) departed the Novorossiysk Naval Facility.
"Given the type and number of vessels putting to sea at the same time, the activity is likely a fleet dispersal in response to a specific threat to Novorossiysk that Russia believes it has identified.
"It is unlikely that the deployment signifies preparation for unusual maritime-launched cruise-missile strikes. It is highly unlikely that the fleet is preparing for amphibious assault operations.
"The BSF largely remains fixed by perceived threats from Ukraine, and continues to prioritise force protection over offensive or patrol operations."
Putin's Russian forces claim to have taken control of Ukrainian city Soledar in their first breakthrough in six months, the Ministry of Defence claims.
The city has witnessed heavy fighting for days as Ukrainian forces desperately battled to keep control.
"The capture of Soledar was made possible by the constant bombardment of the enemy by assault and army aviation, missile forces and artillery of a grouping of Russian forces," the ministry said.
President Zelensky appeared in a video message at the Golden Globes on Wednesday night paying tribute to those supporting Ukraine.
He said: “There are still battles and tears ahead. But now I can tell you who was the best in the previous year – you in the free world.
“Those who united around the support for the free Ukrainian people in our common struggle for freedom and democracy.”
President Zelensky of Ukraine shared a powerful message on social media this Friday, declaring Russia must lose the war “in everything and everywhere.”
He said: “Russia must lose this war – in everything and everywhere.
“On land, in the sky, in the sea, in the energy sector, in the economy, in politics, and in the end – in the dock of the international tribunal.”
Marsel Kandarov, 24, has been jailed for five years after refusing to join Putin’s brutal invasion, the Guardian reports.
Kandarov, was due to report for duty in May 2022, but refused to show, as he “didn’t want to take part” in Putin’s war.
Now, a Russian court in the city of Ufa found Kandarov guilty of evading military service.
Taking to Instagram, President Zelensky issued a rallying cry for his troops.
He shared a series of images showing the destruction Russia has wrought on Ukraine.
The president wrote: “We didn’t lose anything.
“It was taken from us. Ukraine didn’t lose its sons and daughters – they were taken away by murderers.
“Ukrainians didn’t lose homes – they were destroyed by terrorists. The world did not lose peace – Russia destroyed it.”
The Russian army has hailed the efforts of Wagner Group mercenaries that aided in taking over the town of Soledar.
“This combat mission was successfully implemented by the courageous and selfless actions of the volunteers of the Wagner assault squads,” the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.
This comes after Putin’s brutal forces shelled the town a staggering 91 times in one day.
President Zelensky continued his mission to garner international support for Ukraine, as held talks with Albania’s prime minister.
Taking to Twitter, Mr Zelensky said: “Had a phone call with Albanian PM Edi Rama.
“Congratulated on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our states, noted the opening of Albanian Embassy in Kyiv.
“Discussed the situation at the front, the importance of increasing security aid to Ukraine & support for our #PeaceFormula.”
Dnipro governor Valentyn Reznichenko said six children were among those injured in the horror missile attack.
"There are already five dead," he said.
"27 people were wounded. Among them are six children. All are in hospital."
Three of the wounded are said to be in a critical condition.
Following the Dnipro attack a woman was reportedly heard screaming: "Why did you come here to kill us?
"What are you doing to our relatives, our children?
"You are damned for the rest of your life."
Officials said at least five people have been confirmed dead and another 27 have been injured.
Images showed a scene of total devastation with most of the block flattened by the rocket and huge flames pouring out of the building.
Dozens of people were seen desperately trying to roll over a burned out car to pull out survivors trapped underneath.
Volodymyr Zelensky has taken to Twitter to share footage from the missile strikes in Dnipro.
Zelensky added that "all services" were working and they are "fighting for every person".
Eternal memory to all whose lives were taken by 🇷🇺 terror! The world must stop evil. Debris clearance in Dnipro continues. All services are working. We're fighting for every person, every life. We'll find everyone involved in terror. Everyone will bear responsibility. Utmost. pic.twitter.com/zG4rIF8nzC
A top German official has said the country shouldn’t stand in the way of military aid being supplied to Ukraine.
“Germany should not stand in the way of other countries taking decisions to support Ukraine, independent of which decisions Germany takes,” Robert Habeck, Germany’s vice chancellor, said.
This comes as Poland furthers its efforts to send German-built tanks to Ukraine.
Ukraine's Defence Minister, Oleksii Reznikov, says Challenger 2 tanks will allow Ukraine to move faster towards victory.
Oleksii said he was "grateful" Rishi Sunak and Ben Wallace decided to send Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine.
A decision has been made:#UAarmy will receive Challenger 2 tanks.
This was agreed upon by President @ZelenskyyUA & Prime Minister @RishiSunak
With NATO-style tanks, we will move towards victory much faster.
Grateful to His Majesty's Cabinet, especially to my colleague@BWallaceMP
Following Rishi Sunak's decision to send tanks to Ukraine, Russia's embassy has hit out, claiming one "cannot put out a fire with petrol".
In a statement, the Russian embassy in the UK said Downing Street was "escalating the conflict".
The embassy added: "One really cannot put out a fire with petrol".
"Bringing tanks to the conflict zone, far from drawing hostilities to a close, will only serve to intensify combat operations, generating more casualties, including among the civilian population,
An apartment block in Dnipro was badly damaged following a Russian missile attack on Saturday.
In a statement, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of Zelensky's office, said: "They are just inhuman.
"At least one stairwell is gone. Under the rubble there are people who were at home for the holiday."
Defence chiefs in Ukraine say a major offensive is likely when the weather improves, with heavy fighting expected in March.
Western officials have previously said both Ukraine and Vladimir Putin’s Russia are locked in a race to build up their armed forces ahead of any offensive.
The UK's MoD has confirmed its "commitment to Ukraine remains steadfast".
It comes as a group of four Challenger 2 tanks will be delivered to eastern Europe immediately, with a further eight following shortly afterwards.
Our commitment to Ukraine remains steadfast and we will match or exceed last year’s military support in 2023.
The military aid we have donated will help Ukraine defend against air attacks, fight on land, defend their shores, and be equipped for winter. 👇
#StandwithUkraine
The regional governor of Mykolaiv, Vitaliy Kim, has claimed that missiles have been seen flying over the region and air defences were working.
Air raid in most of Ukraine. Massive missile launches possible. pic.twitter.com/aemUAlISjH
Russian forces have lost a further 530 troops within the past 24 hours, Ukraine's Armed Forces has claimed.
The continued losses total 114,660 since the war started.
Ukraine claims that they managed to destroy another 13 vehicles and fuel tanks.
These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of Jan. 14, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/qpWCJlnxE5
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