Russia will destroy Leopard tanks like Hitler's Panther tanks during WWII: Ministry

Russia on Wednesday warned that it will destroy German-made Leopard 2 tanks just as Red Army kcked out  Tiger and Nazi Germany's most-produced Panr tanks during World War II (kwn as Great Patriotic War in Russia). 

Minister of Internal Affairs of Russian Federation, Vladimir Kolokoltsev in a statement, lambasted Berlin for approving Leopard 2 tanks for Ukrainian forces, threatening that Russia's forces will "completely" burn m to ruins similarly as y did  German heavy tanks of World War II, Russian state-affiliated news ncy Tass reported. 

Panrs (upgraded version of German Panzer III and IVs) was Nazi Germany's most successful tank that met an ill fate as Germans invaded  former Soviet Union starting 'Operation Barbarossa' on Sunday, 22 June 1941. Red Army used more advanced, heavily armoured T-34/76 medium tanks and  KV that were equipped with  lethal 76.2-mm gun and had excellent mobility. Red Army deployed almost 1,000 T-34 and over 500 KV tanks during battle of Raseiniai, and Germany's Panrs and Tigers were rendered ineffective against Soviet armoured tanks. Germany's advances were stalled near Lithuania by Soviet troops, as Hitler's troops eventually ran out of munition. 

Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, on Wednesday also warned at a state presser that NATO tanks in Ukraine imply Alliance's “direct involvement in conflict” and that y will be destroyed by Russian forces.

"y perfectly preserve picture of Tigers and Panrs burning on Russian soil in memory of modern generation. y will remember burning modern Leopards as well," Russian minister said. 

'We are dealing with very effective weapons systems': Germany

Russian minister's remark came after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz anunced that he will send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. anuncement came shortly after Biden administration anunced that it was sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukrainian soldiers to counter Russians in ground warfare. Biden hailed Berlin for stepping up cooperation by sending heavy tanks to Europe's war zone, as Scholz made a U-turn from his previous stance of t getting militarily involved citing history and role of Berlin in WWII. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended delay in finalizing decision as he addressed parliament, saying, "We are dealing with very effective weapons systems, and it is right thing for us to never provide se weapons systems on ir own, but always in close cooperation." 

"Germany will provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 combat tanks—as so far in close consultation with our international allies. Chancellor Scholz declared this in Bundestag today. He also explicitly addressed those citizens who are worried about this decision," German government, in turn, wrote in a Facebook post. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, said that German battle tanks, furr broadening of defense support and training missions is a green light for partners to supply similar weapons." 

"Just heard about se important & timely decisions in a call with @OlafScholz. Sincerely grateful to Chancellor and all our friends in [Germany]," Ukraine's President tweeted.