Russian diplomats said on Saturday that the London-announced deployment of British Challenger 2 heavy tanks in Ukraine will only “intensify” the fighting and is unlikely to change the situation on the front line, AFP reports.

“The sending of tanks will not accelerate the cessation of hostilities, but will only intensify them, causing new losses,” the Russian embassy in London said in a statement, adding that the tanks are “unlikely” to help the Ukrainian army. “change course on the battlefield.”

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that he will send a tank company to Ukraine on the eve of the spring offensive, writes The Sun.

A group of four Challenger 2 tanks will be delivered immediately, with eight more tanks to be dispatched shortly thereafter.

Sunak held talks with defense and security chiefs this week, telling them that sending tanks to Ukraine should be an operational priority, The Sun also noted.