Victorious news of 328th day of war: Ukraine may form a Leopard tank brigade, AFU arrive in the US to train on Patriot SAMs

Espreso TV collected the top positive news of the day for January 17, which can encourage Ukrainians despite the difficult times. 

Leopards for Ukraine

The World Economic Forum in Davos discussed one of the most pressing issues - providing Ukraine with offensive weapons. In particular, the leaders of Poland and Lithuania stated that they are optimistic about Germany's permission to export Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Poland is also ready to provide 14 Leopard tanks for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and hopes that other NATO countries will follow its example to assemble at least an armored brigade.

Military experts note that more Challenger 2 tanks will be coming.

"Britain promised not just those 14 tanks. Also, 8 more self-propelled guns and another set of armored personnel carriers. In this package, tanks are tied to self-propelled guns, and armored personnel carriers to the guns. Britain provided us a set of equipment, enough for a mechanized brigade," said military expert Ivan Kyrychevskyi.

Finland announced its willingness to join the coalition of countries that will provide Ukraine with Leopard tanks. This was stated by Finland’s Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto. He hopes the country will favor the decision to supply Leopards to Ukraine. 

"Discussions on Leopard tanks are ongoing. I hope that this decision will be made and Finland is definitely ready to play its role in this support," Pekka Haavisto said.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Germany's allies stepped up pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to allow the delivery of German Leopard tanks to Ukraine ahead of an emergency meeting of defense ministers on Friday. German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that the issue of supplying tanks to Ukraine will be a priority for the new German Defense Minister. By the way, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Lower Saxony, 

Social Democrat Boris Pistorius will be appointed Germany’s new Minister of Defense.

Unprecedented sanctions

Unprecedented sanctions are being imposed against Russia, designed to plunge its economy into recession for decades. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says that Russia's war of aggression will not go unpunished.

“We have put in place the strongest sanctions ever, which leave the Russian economy facing a decade of regression and its industry starved of any modern and critical technologies,” she said. The President of the European Commission also promised Ukrainians that "unwavering support for Ukraine" from the West would continue. 

"In this last year, your country has moved the world and has inspired Europe and I can assure you that Europe will always stand with you," von der Leyen said.

Ukrainian military are training to operate Patriot SAMs

The Ukrainian military arrived at the US Army base, Oklahoma, to train on Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems. The training will start in a few days, according to a US-based reporter.

"Ukrainian soldiers are no longer just on the territory of the US, but are now in their barracks at the US Army base, Oklahoma, Fort Sill. This was confirmed by a senior official of the US administration. And then a picture appeared, taken by Fox News," the reporter said.

The training will start in a few days and will last for several months. Ukrainian soldiers will be trained by the same instructors who train the military of the US, allied and partner countries.

Ukrainian Armed Forces neutralize Russia Su-25 aircraft and radar station

According to the AFU General Staff, the aviation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces launched 10 strikes on concentrations of Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment during the day.

Ukrainian defenders also destroyed a Russian Su-25 aircraft.

The units of the missile troops and artillery of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck 2 Russian control points, as well as personnel concentrations, ammunition depot, electronic warfare station and radar station.

Norwegian bridges for de-occupied territories

Ukraine received the last batch of bridges donated by Norway in December. Temporary bridges for the restoration of road infrastructure have already arrived in Ukraine. They will be installed in the de-occupied territories.

"Ukraine received temporary bridge structures of the acrow/bailey type, which are suitable for the movement of heavy vehicles. These structures will allow not only to connect settlements, but also to ensure the delivery of humanitarian goods, the passage of ambulances, repair crews, evacuation of the population," Ukravtodor, State Road Agency of Ukraine, said.

Ukravtodor noted that the cost of the transferred structures is NOR 30 million. Norwegian experts will conduct training for Ukrainian colleagues in Poland to teach them how to assemble these structures quickly and efficiently.

Norway has become the third country to transfer humanitarian aid to Ukraine for the restoration of road infrastructure since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.