On Sunday, Russia’s Humanitarian Response department in Ukraine accused Kyiv of planning a “large-scale provocation” in the eastern city of Kramatorsk to accuse Moscow of “allegedly committing war crimes.”
Russia’s Allegations
The Russian Defence Ministry went on to allege that the Ukrainian forces planned to bombard three medical facilities, including the first hospital in the city, “to accuse Russia of allegedly [making a] “deliberate hit” on civilian objects.”
It added that the attack was a tactic used to accelerate “the supply of long-range missiles to Kyiv for strikes on Russian territory.”
For the 3rd time in 5 weeks, Russia accuses Ukraine of preparing some kind false flag operationhttps://t.co/gls9FjP0dR
— Jake Cordell (@JakeCordell) February 5, 2023
Sunday must be when the provocation-busting department meets with the social media team. All allegations - none of which happened - came on Sunday evenings pic.twitter.com/aM7bTutLma
The ministry further asserted that “against the backdrop of the military failures of the Ukrainian army, the Kyiv authorities are trying to increase pressure on public opinion in Western countries.”
Germany, US Supplying Modern Tanks
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reportedly agreed to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, while allowing other allies, such as Poland, to supply the tanks as well. Germany’s decision came in coordination with the US agreeing to send 31 M1A2 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
Additionally, Portugal agreed to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine on Saturday, without giving details about how many; Lisbon currently has 37 Leopard 2 tanks, but most are non-functioning.
Portugal will secure parts from Germany to revitalize inoperable Leopard-2 tanks
— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) February 4, 2023
Portugal says it has calculated the number of tanks that will be dispatched but won't release the number yet
Nevertheless, as per Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, Kyiv is set receive about 120 to 140 tanks from a group of 12 countries in the “first wave.”