Zelenskyy confirms that US Abrams tanks have arrived in Ukraine

He wrote about this on Telegram. 

"Good news from Defense Minister Umerov. Abrams are already in Ukraine and are preparing to reinforce our brigades. I am grateful to our allies for fulfilling the agreements! We are looking for new contracts and expanding the geography of supply," the statement says. 

Today there was a daily synchronization in the main security areas. During the meeting, Zelenskyy also heard a report from Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko on the elimination of the consequences of the shelling of Odesa and other settlements and assistance to the victims.

"Coverage of the Odesa region is a priority in all my negotiations on air defense," the president said.

In addition, they discussed preparations for the winter. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal spoke about protecting critical infrastructure, preparing shelters and invincibility points. According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine is preparing solutions to make their search as simple and quick as possible.

Reports on the military situation were also prepared by Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate Kyrylo Budanov, and the leadership of the Foreign Intelligence and Security Services of Ukraine.

Earlier, The New York Times reported on the transfer of American Abrams tanks, citing two US defense officials. They stated that the first Abrams tanks arrived several months earlier than planned.

The US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said more Abrams tanks would be sent in the coming months. They noted that the ones sent to Ukraine on Saturday were the first of 31 that the Biden administration has promised to send.

However, officials did not say how many tanks have been delivered so far.

What is known about Abrams for Ukraine

In May, the United States began training Ukrainians on Abrams tanks in Germany. For this purpose, M1 Abrams tanks arrived from the United States, intended solely for training and not for shipment to Ukraine.

At the same time, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that the United States would deliver Abrams tanks to Ukraine in early fall 2023. The Abrams tanks intended for Ukraine (31 tanks) have been undergoing repairs and preparation for several months. This weekend, the tanks were officially approved for delivery.

On August 7, the first batch of Abrams tanks provided by the United States to Ukraine was approved for shipment. At the time, it was said that the tanks would arrive in Ukraine in early fall.

Later, on September 19, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that Ukraine would soon receive American Abrams tanks.