UK's 50-day ramp-up of munitions delivery to Ukraine as security guarantee talks progress
The money gained from seized Russian assets has been recycled into more than £1bn of weapons and military support for Ukraine, Defence Secretary John Healey said during a visit to Kyiv.
Through this, the UK has delivered hundreds of thousands of rounds of artillery ammunition, hundreds of air defence missiles, spare parts, and new support contracts to keep equipment and vehicles running.
While Mr Healey was in Kyiv, he also co-chaired a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing with representatives from more than 30 countries, where he said the UK is reviewing the readiness levels of its Armed Forces for any deployment once the war is over.
The ministers also spoke about the make-up of a multinational force, as well as tactical details relating to how the deployment would be strengthened across the skies, seas and land.
The announcement came ahead of Coalition of the Willing talks in Paris to go through the possible security guarantees, including the hinted-at reassurance forces for Ukraine, if there is a truce between Moscow and Kyiv.
"The UK is stepping up our military support to help Ukraine defend itself in today's fight against Putin's illegal invasion, while working hard to secure peace tomorrow through the Coalition of the Willing," he said.
"More than £1bn of military support for Ukraine has now been paid for by immobilised Russian assets, while we have accelerated deliveries of vital kit and equipment over the last 50 days into the hands of Ukrainian warfighters.
"On my fifth visit to Ukraine, it was an honour to meet [Ukrainian defence minister Denys] Shmyhal to stress our continued unity for Ukraine – both from the UK and across the Coalition of the Willing."
The list of equipment that the UK government has provided in the last 50 days to Ukraine includes:
- 4.7 million rounds of small arms ammunition for Ukraine's soldiers
- 60,000 artillery shells, rockets and missiles
- More than 2,500 drones
- More than 200 electronic warfare systems
- 100 light weapons
- 30 vehicles
- Additional counter-drone and air defence equipment
Mr Healey spoke to Mr Shmyhal about the major support package after having urged allies to come together in a 50-day drive to speed up the delivery of vital weapons and munitions to put Ukraine in the strongest position.
Alongside the military support announcement, the Defence Secretary went to see the destruction caused by Russian strikes to a British Council building in Kyiv.
In an X post by the Ministry of Defence, Mr Healey was pictured with his hands on his hips, looking at the building that housed an organisation created to spread peace and prosperity in Ukraine's capital city.
The UK government has invested £4.5bn in military support to Ukraine this year.
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