US Sends Abrams Tanks and Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine, Russia: No Weapon Can Change the Battlefield

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. (Wikimedia Commons/Presidential Executive Office of Russia)

JAKARTA - The Kremlin said on Tuesday that the United States' supply of ATACMS long-range missiles and Abrams tanks to Ukraine would not change the situation on the battlefield.

When asked about the issue at a regular press briefing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia's armed forces were continuing to adapt to the use of new types of weapons, in what Moscow calls a special military operation (SVO) in Ukraine.

"All this does not in any way affect the essence of SVO and its results. There is no panacea and no single type of weapon that can change the balance of power on the battlefield," he said, as reported by Reuters, September 27.

Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said US-made Abrams tanks had arrived in his country. The jet-powered tanks were Kyiv's main demand until Washington finally offered more than 30 in January.

"The Abrams tank is a serious weapon, but remember what the president said about other tanks made in other countries," Peskov said, referring to other Western tanks supplied to Kyiv, including the German-made Leopard and the British Challenger.

"Well, this (Abrams) will also burn," he said.

Kyiv has also repeatedly asked the Biden Administration's Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to help attack and disrupt supply lines, air bases, and railway networks in Russian-occupied territory.

Last Friday, NBC News, citing US officials, reported that President Joe Biden had told President Zelensky that Washington would also provide Kyiv with ATACMS long-range missiles.

The White House and Pentagon declined to comment on the NBC report. The Pentagon also declined to say whether any ATACMS promises were made to President Zelensky during his meeting last Thursday at the Pentagon.

"America continues to increase its direct involvement in this conflict, but of course, our military is always improving its skills and technical capabilities to counter these missiles," stressed Peskov.