UK pledges £245m to replenish Ukraine's artillery reserves

The UK has pledged to boost Ukraine's artillery with a £245m munitions package on the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of the country.

The announcement on Saturday is intended to provide a much-needed replenishment of Kyiv's reserves of artillery ammunition.

Artillery has been a key factor in Ukraine's battlefield successes, as the country pushes to degrade Russian forces and prevent further significant breakthroughs.

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Ukraine has effectively used artillery to conduct counter-battery fire – with drones and UK-supplied radar systems quickly identifying the locations of active Russian artillery and rapidly returning fire to destroy them.

Two years to the day since the start of the conflict, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said Ukraine's "steadfast determination and resilience" continued to "inspire the world".

He said: "Against all odds, the armed forces of Ukraine have pushed back the Russian invaders to recapture half of the land Putin stole, while significantly degrading Russia's capabilities – with around 30% of Russia's Black Sea Fleet destroyed or damaged, and thousands of tanks and armoured vehicles reduced to scrap.

"But they cannot win this fight without the support of the international community – and that's why we continue to do what it takes to ensure Ukraine can continue to fight towards victory.

"Nearly a quarter of a billion pounds' worth of UK funding will boost their critical stockpiles of artillery ammunition, while the Royal Air Force completes a further delivery of advanced tank-busting missiles.

"Together, we will ensure Putin fails, and a victory for democracy, the rules-based international order, and the Ukrainian people."

On Thursday, the Defence Secretary confirmed the delivery of a further 200 Brimstone anti-tank missiles to Ukraine.

Other military equipment provided by the UK includes Challenger 2 tanks and long-range Storm Shadow missiles, while British forces have given training to Ukrainian soldiers in the UK and the Government continues to provide humanitarian assistance.