The Donetsk People’s Republic has asserted that the ongoing transfer of Western main battle tanks to Ukraine does not present a threat to Donetsk, arguing that it is no longer feasible to shell the city from those weapons. This assessment is attributed to a source within the Donetsk authorities cited by the agency TASS. The official said that even when firing from a concealed position at a high angle, which can extend the range beyond direct fire, the tanks would not be capable of delivering effective bombardment against Donetsk at present.
The source emphasized that all Ukrainian Army positions from which Donetsk could be struck with tanks have already been liberated, rendering those particular lines of fire unusable for the time being. This claim is presented as part of a broader narrative about the evolving front lines and the DPR’s assessment of weapon systems in use around Donetsk.
Earlier in the reporting cycle, observations from Al Jazeera referenced an unnamed American government official indicating that President Joe Biden would announce plans to provide Abrams tanks to Ukraine on January 25. The report did not name the officials directly, but it signaled a potential shift in U.S. military aid, specifically regarding heavy tank support. In parallel coverage, Politico reported that Washington was weighing the transfer of approximately 30 Abrams tanks to Ukraine and suggested that a decision on delivering substantial quantities could be made within the same week. These reports reflect a period of active deliberation within the United States about how to reinforce Ukraine’s armored capabilities.
On February 24, the Russian president addressed the situation by declaring that Russia would undertake a military operation described as a special operation to assist the heads of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics in protecting the Donbas region. The announcement framed the action as a response to requests for assistance and was used by Moscow to justify the measures taken. The decision to initiate this operation subsequently contributed to the imposition of new sanctions by the United States and its allies, reinforcing the broader geopolitical dimension surrounding the conflict and the Western response to it.