Australia hands over Abrams tanks to Ukraine

Reuters reports.

According to Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, Ukraine has already received most of the 49 tanks provided by Australia, with the remainder to be delivered in the coming months.

Marles stated that the M1A1 Abrams tanks would play an important role in supporting Ukraine’s ongoing resistance against Russia’s unlawful and unjust invasion.

The government noted that the tanks are part of a 1.5 billion Australian dollar package of military aid to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion.

It is noted that Australia has also banned the export of alumina and aluminum ores, including bauxite, to Russia, and imposed sanctions on about 1,000 Russian individuals and legal entities.

• In June, the Australian government imposed sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet for the first time. They affected 60 vessels that Russia uses to circumvent international restrictions and continue the war against Ukraine.