UK Defence Secretary condemns 'callous' Russian drone attack on Kyiv
The UK Defence Secretary has condemned Russia's latest attack on Kyiv, which Ukraine’s air force called the largest Russian drone attack of the war.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Grant Shapps called the attacks "callous".
"These explosions will echo around the world as a reminder that we'll never accept Ukraine being invaded by Russia," he said.
"Today’s callous attack on Kyiv shows Putin's illegal war in Ukraine continues.
"I'm committed to the UK & world remaining staunchly behind Ukraine's defence."
The drones used in the attack were Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones.
In a post on X, the Ukrainian Air Force said "74 Shaheds and one missile were shot down" in the attack on Kyiv.
Kamikaze drones have been used by both sides in the war, with Iran helping Russia develop their own version of the weapon after Moscow turned to Tehran to use their Shahed drones initially.
Last December, the UK imposed sanctions on "high-level" figures from both Iran and Russia after a "sordid" alliance between Russia and Iran was threatening global security, according to then Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
It comes after the MOD revealed Russia had moved where it reloads its Black Sea fleet with cruise missiles.
In a post on X, the MOD said Russia was using a facility in Novorossiysk as an alternative site since their reloading base in Crimea was threatened by Ukraine.
"Traditionally, BSF has reloaded cruise missiles at Sevastopol in Crimea,” the MOD said.
"With that facility increasingly held at risk by Ukrainian long-range strikes, Russia will highly likely see Novorossiysk as the best alternative site."
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