To emphasise the UK’s consistent, long-term support for Ukraine as it celebrates 31 years of independence from the Soviet Union, Prime Minister Boris Johnson pays a visit to Kyiv.
An further significant assistance package, including unmanned surveillance and missile systems for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, is being announced by the prime minister at the same time as the visit.
Ukraine will be able to better monitor and target invading Russian soldiers thanks to the £54 million package of 200 cutting-edge drones and loitering missiles.
The Prime Minister has arrived in Kyiv today to assure President Zelenskyy that his nation “can and will win the war.”
He is doing this as a demonstration of strength and unity with Ukraine.
The prime minister also urged the international community to continue supporting Ukraine as it resolutely defends its sovereignty six months after Putin’s violent and unlawful invasion during his third visit to the city since the invasion.
The Prime Minister discussed the UK’s next major package of new support while meeting President Zelenskyy in Kyiv today to commemorate 31 years since Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union.
This support includes unmanned surveillance and anti-tank loitering munitions, which the Armed Forces of Ukraine have requested.
With the addition of these unmanned air systems, the Ukrainians’ long-range observation and defensive targeting capabilities will advance.
It comprises 850 hand-launched Black Hornet micro-drones, which are used to spot incoming enemy troops and are designed particularly for use in cities and villages.
The helicopter drones, which are little bigger than a smartphone, can be piloted by military personnel in less than 20 minutes of training. Each drone transmits live video and still photographs so that ground troops may safely protect metropolitan areas.
Boris Johnson, the prime minister, said:
The United Kingdom has supported Ukraine for the last six months, standing shoulder to shoulder with this sovereign nation as it defends itself against this heinous and unlawful invader.
The assistance package announced today will provide the valiant and tenacious Ukrainian Armed Troops another another boost in capacity, enabling them to repel Russian forces and fight for their independence.
We all care about what happens in Ukraine, which is why I’m here to tell you that the UK is supporting you and will continue to do so in the coming days and months. You can and will win this war.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s all-encompassing and steadfast support for the Ukrainian people, from humanitarian relief to backing the investigation of war crimes and rebuilding the nation’s economy.
The leaders also discussed the difficulties that the country would face this winter.
The Prime Minister also received “The Order of Liberty,” Ukraine’s highest honour given to a foreigner, on his last visit to the nation before departing Downing Street, in recognition of the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence.
Today’s £54 million military package comes as the UK also prepared to provide minehunting vehicles to Ukraine to assist identify Russian mines in the seas off its shore.
In the next weeks, Ukrainian servicemen will get training on how to utilise them in UK seas.
The UK also keeps up with the expansion of military training for Ukrainian servicemen.
Since the Prime Minister first launched the initiative during his earlier visit to Ukraine in June, eight other nations have joined the main training programmes, which educate citizens to become troops.
The rapidly increasing program’s partners from countries including Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Lithuania are providing knowledge and trainers.
The UK has also contributed to the international financing of defensive lethal assistance for Ukraine.
At the Copenhagen Conference, which was co-hosted by the UK and Denmark earlier this month, additional financial pledges from allies totaling £1.2 billion were obtained for Ukraine since the Prime Minister announced an additional £1 billion in military assistance to be provided to Ukraine at NATO in June.
Since the invasion started in February, the UK has provided Ukraine with more than £2.3 billion in financial and military help.