Germany says it will provide Ukraine with at least 100 Leopard 1 tanks. The tanks were previously used by the German military. Berlin says the armored vehicles are well built and can be used to boost Ukraine's defense capabilities.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius made the announcement during a visit to Kyiv on Tuesday.

The visit comes as fighting continues to intensify over the key Ukrainian stronghold of Bakhmut, which is located in the eastern Donetsk region.

Pistorius said around 20 to 25 of the tanks will be delivered by this summer, and a total of more than 100 will be provided by the middle of next year.

German media outlets report that the older model tanks were manufactured between the 1960s and the 1980s. The vehicles are older than the Leopard 2 tanks, which are Germany's main battle tanks. Berlin agreed to send Ukraine Leopard 2 tanks last month.

On Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said, "The United States and its allies have been trying to prolong the conflict as much as possible."

He added, "Such moves are actually drawing NATO countries into the conflict and can eventually lead to an unpredictable escalation."