The United Kingdom announced on Friday the sending of around 200 anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine to strengthen its defenses, after the wave of Russian strikes on several cities in the country, calling on its allies to “redouble their efforts” to support militarily kyiv.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘tests Ukraine’s defenses and Western resolve’ […] and today’s dispatch of an air defense package sends an irrefutable message that, in the face of Russian barbarity, the UK remains absolutely committed to supporting Ukraine,” said UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps, in a press release.
These ASRAAM type missiles, initially designed to be fired from the air, have been adapted to be able to power ground anti-aircraft defense systems, already delivered by the British to Ukraine at the end of 2022.
They “will strengthen Ukraine’s crucial air defense capability,” detailed the Ministry of Defense.
Moscow launched a large series of missile and drone strikes on several cities in Ukraine, including the capital kyiv, on Friday morning, which left at least 18 dead and 132 injured, according to Ukrainian authorities.
“The latest wave of deadly airstrikes from [Vladimir] Putin is a desperate and futile attempt to revive itself after the catastrophic losses of hundreds of thousands of conscripts,” insisted Grant Shapps.
The minister also called on “the free world” to “come together and redouble their efforts to give Ukraine what it needs to win.”
Since the start of the year, the United Kingdom has sent Challenger 2 battle tanks, three batteries of AS-90 artillery guns, and hundreds of armored vehicles and Storm Shadow cruise missiles, and long-range attack drones.
The amount of British military aid to Ukraine amounts to 4.6 billion pounds (7.8 billion Canadian dollars).
The British army has also trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, including future pilots capable of handling the F16 fighter jets.
A first cohort of six pilots completed a training phase in the United Kingdom last week, and returned to Denmark to continue their training on F16s.