MINISTERS were urged to divert arms spending to help working people today after it emerged British Challenger 2 tanks were being used in Ukraine’s incursion into Russia.

Anti-war campaigners warned the latest escalation put millions at risk by threatening to turn the proxy war between Nato and Russia into a “hot” and, potentially, nuclear war.

Defence Secretary John Healey said Britain is having “intense discussions” on removing a ban on Ukraine using Britain’s powerful Storm Shadow missiles beyond its borders.

Stop the War Coalition national convener Lindsey German said: “We warned that the UK government pouring yet more weapons into the war in Ukraine, including Challenger 2 tanks, would be disastrous for the people of Ukraine, Russia and a wider Europe when former prime minister Rishi Sunak confirmed it was happening last year.

“We said then the plans risked turning the conflict from a proxy war between Nato and Russia to a ‘hot war’ putting millions at risk through escalation.

“The Kursk incursion is the latest in a long list of escalations by both sides.

“With a Labour government committed to providing Ukraine with £3 billion a year, anti-war campaigners must continue to demand a change in Britain’s foreign policy, because the money spent on arms would be much better spent on helping people here.”

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament warned a direct conflict between Nato and Russia risked a nuclear war.

General secretary Kate Hudson said: “This is a further escalation of an already terrible war in which many — possibly hundreds of thousands — of civilians and soldiers have been killed and wounded.

“This latest development will only add to that tragic toll.

“Britain’s complicity in enabling and continuing this war is clear: from tanks and other weaponry, to our government’s obstruction of attempts to work towards a ceasefire.

“Negotiating a lasting political settlement is vital — to save lives, and to allow the reconstruction process to start.

“This is what our government should be doing, not ramping up a disastrous conflict that could end in direct conflict between Nato and Russia, and nuclear war.”

Mr Sunak confirmed Britain would send Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine in January 2023, claiming the 14 attack vehicles would help Ukrainian forces “push Russian troops back.”

A British source has since confirmed the tanks have been used by Ukraine as part of its surprise incursion into Russia.

The Ministry of Defence would not officially comment on what specific British weapons are being used by Ukraine but, following Kiev’s incursion into Russian territory, reiterated that Ukraine had “a clear right” to use British-supplied weapons for “self-defence against Russia’s illegal attacks.”

“That does not preclude operations inside Russia,” the department spokesman added.

“We make clear during the gifting process that equipment is to be used in line with international law.”

Ukraine surprised Russia and its allies when it launched its offensive into Russia’s western border region of Kursk.

There have since also been sightings of Western-supplied armour inside Russia, including US Bradley and Stryker armoured vehicles as well as German Marders.

Russia has declared a state of emergency in its Kursk and Belgorod, regions with local officials saying about 180,000 civilians in Kursk needed to be evacuated.

Britain was one of the first countries to supply Ukraine with Western-made main battle tanks.