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Why the tanks? Vladimir Putin wanted a lightning-fast takeover of Kiev, but seems content to settle for a long artillery war that could last for years. Ukraine’s allies claim that only tanks can accelerate victory. We ask why and look at the World War I style trench warfare that razes city after city in the Donbas to the ground.
“Free the leopards” is the cry. But Germany – maker of Europe’s most popular tank – wants to make sure it’s the right move before turning its back on seven decades of non-aggression. France – maker of the Leclerc tank – is also weighing the benefits and costs of sending sophisticated machines that need constant maintenance and whether this marks the turning point where NATO finds itself at war directly with Russia.
With Moscow and Kiev each discussing plans for spring offensives, when is it time to decide and what happens next?
Produced by Alessandro Xenos, Juilette Laurain and Imen Mellaz.
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