'US tanks will help surge to take Crimea'

UKRAINIAN troops could force their way to the vital Kerch Bridge to Crimea if they breach Russian defences, a former British tank commander declared yesterday.

- Michael Knowles

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon said the arrival of US Abrams battle tanks in the war zone was "really pivotal" to Kyiv's counter-offensive - and a major psychological boost for Ukrainian troops locked in the battle to reclaim their territory.

Their long-awaited attack has been slower than expected due to Russia lacing the area with mines and boobytraps that need clearing.

De Bretton-Gordon claims the Abrams could break through if supported by long-range missiles.