UK to send air defense missiles to Ukraine — RT World News
The British Defense Minister said that the West should redouble its efforts to supply Kiev with military equipment
The British Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that London will send 200 air defense missiles to Kiev, following a wide wave of Russian strikes on Ukrainian targets.
The UK-supplied Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM) were initially designed to be launched by British Typhoons and US-made F-35 fighter jets. The ministry said in a statement that Britain last year developed air defense systems that can be launched from the ground to meet Ukraine's needs, and trained Ukrainian forces on how to operate them.
Ukraine said that on Thursday and Friday it was subjected to the largest Russian attack with drones and missiles since the conflict began in February 2022, as it discovered at least 158 shells. Kiev claimed that 27 drones and 87 cruise missiles were intercepted. She added that the attack killed 30 people and injured 160 others.
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that it carried out 50 operations “group” One hit “particle” A barrage of drones and high-precision weapons against defense industry sites, military airfields, weapons depots and troop positions. She added that all targets were successfully hit.
Moscow's envoy to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, blamed civilian casualties on a defect in air defense systems provided by the West, which he said were deliberately deployed by Ukraine in residential areas. “It is difficult to imagine greater irony. Without the work of Ukrainian air defense, there would have been no civilian casualties.” Nebenzia stated.
Regarding the missile attack, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin He is now testing Ukraine's defenses and the West's resolve, hoping he can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. But he is wrong.”
“It is time for the free world to come together and redouble our efforts to get Ukraine what it needs to win.” He said.
According to the British Ministry of Defense, London has already provided £4.6 billion ($5.86 billion) in military aid to Kiev, with a further £2.3 billion allocated to Ukraine until the end of the financial year on March 31.
Moscow has repeatedly warned that deliveries of weapons to Ukraine by the US, UK and their allies will only prolong the fighting and increase the risk of direct military confrontation between Russia and NATO, arguing that providing weapons and sharing intelligence may exacerbate the problem. The training of Ukrainian forces means that Western countries have effectively become parties to the conflict.
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