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Germany okays tanks
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for Ukraine against Russia’s almost year-old invasion: providing arms that have a mainly offensive rather than defensive purpose.
“So the tank coalition is formed. Everyone who doubted this could ever happen sees now: for Ukraine and partners impossible is nothing,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.
“I call on all new partners that have Leopard 2 tanks in service to join the coalition and provide as many of them as possible,” he wrote on Twitter.
The Russian embassy in Berlin denounced Germany’s “extremely dangerous decision” which, it said, “destroys the remnants of mutual trust” and could draw Germany into the war. Scholz pledged that no such thing would happen.
Berlin’s move paves the way for pledges from other countries that field Leopards, which Germany made in the thousands and exported to allies in Nato.
Finland said it would send them, as did Poland, which has already sought Berlin’s approval. Spain and the Netherlands said they were considering it and Norway was reported to be discussing it. Britain has offered a company of 14 of its comparable Challenger tanks and France is considering sending its Leclercs.
“At a critical moment in Russia’s war, these tanks can help Ukraine defend itself, win and stand as an independent nation,” Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.
Two sources in the United States said Washington would announce later yesterday that it would provide dozens of its own Abrams M1 tanks.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said he spoke with US counterpart Lloyd Austin yesterday, promising “more good news to be announced soon”. Reznikov said they discussed “further strengthening of (Ukraine’s army), including tank supplies and maintenance of the new armament.”
Moscow says supplies of modern offensive weaponry to Ukraine will only postpone what it says will be its inevitable victory. Anatoly Antonov, Russia’s ambassador in Washington, said deliveries of US battle tanks would be “another blatant provocation”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said any US tanks sent to Ukraine would “burn like all the rest”.
In the past week, Russia has ramped up threats, including comments from Dmitry Medvedev, an ally of President Vladimir Putin, that a nuclear state facing defeat could use nuclear weapons.
Western officials who support sending the tanks have dismissed Moscow’s threats, arguing that Russia is already waging war at full tilt and has been deterred from attacking Nato or using nuclear arms.
Last week, allies pledged billions of dollars’ worth of military aid including hundreds of armoured fighting vehicles and troop carriers. Those are seen as more effective for attacking enemy lines when used alongside tanks.
Ukraine sees the weapons as restoring its momentum in a war that has lately become a bloody, deadlocked slog.
Kyiv acknowledged yesterday its forces had withdrawn from Soledar, a small salt-mining town in the east that Russia had claimed to capture more than a week ago, its biggest gain for more than half a year.
The town is close to Bakhmut, a larger city that has been the focus of an intense Russian assault for weeks.
The Russian-installed governor of Ukraine’s Donetsk region said units of Russia’s Wagner contract militia were now moving forward inside Bakhmut, with fighting on the outskirts and in neighbourhoods recently held by Ukraine.
Reuters could not verify the situation there.

Bangladesh fall
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in the group with a net run rate of +1.211. South Africa (+0.387) finished fourth.
The young Tigresses started the tournament on a high note, winning all three matches in the group stages, against Australia, Sri Lanka and the United States, to qualify for the Super Six.
However, Disha Biswas and Co. lost to South Africa in their opening Super Six game by five wickets, which hampered their net run rate and perhaps cost them a spot in the final four.
In their last Super Six game, Bangladesh restricted UAE to 69 for nine after 20 overs. Leg-spinner Rabeya Khan picked up three wickets while Marufa Akter took two wickets.
In reply, Bangladesh reached the target with five wickets and 10.5 overs to spare. Shorna Akter top-scored with 38 off just 19 deliveries, striking two sixes and four boundaries.