STEEL RAMPAGE
British Challenger 2 tanks are INSIDE Russia helping Ukraine’s blitz into Putin’s territory after Kursk invasion
Ukraine's surprise attack has captured over 70 Russian towns
BRITISH tanks have stormed into Russia as part of Ukraine’s lightning cross-border blitz.
Challenger 2 tanks are said to have rumbled over the country's northeastern border taking the fight to Vladimir Putin.
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Crack troops from Ukraine’s 82nd Air Assault Brigade charged into Kursk with the 70ton beasts which have been hailed as armoured snipers.
Britain donated 14 tanks last year and one was destroyed in battle during the previous summer counter-offensive.
UK tanks crossing the border amid Ukraine's storming invasion into Kursk was first reported by .
It is unclear how many are taking part in the invasion of Russia which is already Russia’s worst home defeat since World War 2.
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In a snatched message from the frontline, a soldier in Ukraine’s challenger squadron told The Sun: “It’s hard.”
Their use comes after the British Government said the Ukrainians can use UK-supplied weaponry inside Russia.
It is thought to mark the first time ever that British tanks have been used on Russian soil.
The UK agreed to give Ukraine 14 of its Challenger 2 tanks in January 2023 as part of the West's support for the country following Russia's invasion.
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Vladimir Putin's armed forces are scrambling to halt the Ukrainian advance into Kursk after Kyiv's surprise invasion last week.
The Challenger 2s were assigned to Ukraine's elite 82nd Air Assault Brigade and were first used in battle last August.
Ukraine upgrading UK-made Challenger 2’s with Mad Max-style armour to defend against Putin’s kamikaze drones
The unit is understood to be involved with the invasion of Kursk.
Ukraine has a "clear right of self-defence against Russia's illegal attacks...that does not preclude operations inside Russia", an MoD spokesperson told the BBC.
"We make clear during the gifting process that equipment is to be used in line with international law," they added.
The 75-ton £5m tanks are key to smashing through Russian lines and outstrip their the T-55 on speed, armament, firepower and precision.
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It is also the only modern main battle tank to use a rifled barrel — which makes it wildly more accurate than its competitors.
Ukraine invaded Kursk nine days ago, bursting through Russia's light defences of poorly trained conscripts and shallow defensive lines.
Ukraine has managed to seize as much Russian land in just eight days of their mini invasion as Putin's forces achieved in the last eight months.
One tank was destroyed in combat by Russian fire last year with battlefield footage showing the wreck of a tank billowing smoke.
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It was destroyed by a drone after one of its tracks was wrecked by a mine, and another two were badly damaged by blasts.
It has been used in Ukraine's failed counter-offensive last summer.
Challenger 2 factfile
The MoD has claimed the UK’s main battle tank had “never suffered losses” on operations in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq.
The 75-ton tanks, which cost £5million each, outstrip their the T-55 on speed, armament, firepower and precision.
The Challenger 2’s 120mm gun destroyed an Iraqi vehicle during the Gulf War from three miles away — a “kill shot” record.
They can carry up to 1,800 litres of diesel, giving them an average 341 miles range at a speed of 37mph.
If needed, additional fuel can be sprayed on the hot engine to produce a smoke screen, providing cover in battle.
The 120mm cannon can be armed with armour-piercing shells that fly towards the enemy at 4,250mph.
It can also be armed with high explosive bunker-busting shells that can blow up light enemy vehicles or entrenched positions.
On each side are five smoke grenade dischargers, which can be fired as a smoke screen to the front, protecting against laser beam-riding missiles.
It also has a chain gun spitting out 7.62mm rounds to rip through soft-skinned vehicles such as trucks, or dismounted infantry.
Earlier this year, The Sun was given an exclusive tour of the Challenger 2 in Estonia.
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