Britain is to send Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine to bolster the war effort against invading Russian forces.

Additional artillery support is also to be sent by the UK to assist the Kyiv government.

The announcement comes after Sky News exclusively revealed the UK was considering supplying Ukraine with British tanks for the first time.

Following a call between Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, a Number 10 spokesperson said: “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 spokesperson added: “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.”

Mr Zelenskyy tweeted: “Always strong support of the UK is now impenetrable and ready for challenges. In a conversation with the prime minister, I thanked for the decisions that will not only strengthen us on the battlefield, but also send the right signal to other partners.”

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