![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/4982331.jpg?r=1695853183410\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon said the arrival of US Abrams battle tanks in the war zone was \u201creally pivotal\u201d to Kyiv\u2019s counter-offensive \u2013 and a major psychological boost for Ukrainian troops locked in the battle to reclaim their territory.<\/p>\n
Their long-awaited attack has been slower than expected due to Russia lacing the area with mines and boobytraps that need clearing.<\/p>\n
De Bretton-Gordon claims the Abrams could break through if supported by long-range missiles.<\/p>\n
He said that Vladimir Putin\u2019s hold over Crimea is \u201cless tenable by the day\u201d after Ukrainian special forces strikes, long-range missile attacks and drone assaults.<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> Humiliated Putin ‘didn’t expect Russia to be so vulnerable’<\/strong><\/p>\n The Gulf War veteran said: \u201cThe fact that Putin said to [defence minister] Shoigu at the weekend, he\u2019s got four weeks to stop the counter-offensive, one just feels that the deck of cards are beginning to crumble. Once they\u2019re through this defensive line, there\u2019s nothing else really between them and the Kerch Bridge.\u201d<\/p>\n Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian military intelligence, said the tanks \u201cshould be used …for very specific, well-crafted operations. They need to be used in those breakthrough operations, but very well-prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n The US is also to provide a \u00a3430million package to protect Ukraine\u2019s energy systems, to save millions from this winter\u2019s cold.<\/p>\n Power firms have been hit heavily by Russia\u2019s invasion, and the funds will help repair badly damaged energy infrastructure.<\/p>\n Large parts of Ukraine are often left without heating and lighting following Russian air attacks on power plants and transformers.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/4982332.jpg?r=1695853183465\")
<\/p>\n