The move came after the UK’s Defence Secretary, John Healey, visited Kyiv to hold talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov vowing to step up British support to Ukraine in 2025.
Healey stated that three years since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine the depths of his miscalculation are clearer than ever, as the brave people of Ukraine continue to defy all expectations with their unbreakable spirit.
In July, the new Labour Government vowed to commit £3 billion yearly in military aid to Ukraine until 2030-2031.
The defence ministry said the new package will include £92 million for equipment to bolster Ukraine’s navy, including small boats, reconnaissance drones and uncrewed surface vessels.
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A further £68 million will be used for air defence equipment including radars, and 1,000 counter-drone electronic warfare systems at a cost of £39 million will be supplied to the Ukrainian army.
Healey said the UK would also boost a training programme for Ukrainian soldiers run with key allies on British soil known as Operation Interflex, under which 51,000 recruits have been trained since mid-2022.
London gave Kyiv the green light to launch the UK-supplied, long-range missiles into Russia for the first time in November.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky was due to meet NATO chief, Mark Rutte and key European leaders in Brussels late Wednesday to strategise over Russia’s war ahead of Donald Trump’s return to power in the United States.
Western backers are seeking to shore up Ukraine’s forces as Kyiv’s fatigued troops are losing ground across the frontline and Moscow has deployed North Koreans to the battlefield.