£1bn in aid sent to Ukraine
The UK has channelled over £1 billion of military aid to Ukraine using funds raised from immobilised Russian assets, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed during a visit to Kyiv.
Weapons and ammunition delivered
The support, financed through a £2.26 billion loan repaid with seized Russian funds, has funded hundreds of thousands of artillery shells, air defence missiles, drones, and electronic warfare systems. In the last 50 days alone, Ukraine has received 4.7 million rounds of small arms ammunition, 60,000 heavy munitions, 2,500 drones, and 200 electronic warfare units, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Multinational force preparations
Mr Healey co-chaired a virtual “Coalition of the Willing” meeting of more than 30 nations, discussing plans for a multinational force that could be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a peace settlement. He also said the UK is reviewing readiness levels of its Armed Forces, stressing that Britain’s security “starts in Ukraine.”
Deepening defence ties
The Defence Secretary also highlighted growing industrial cooperation, part of a 100-year UK–Ukraine defence partnership signed in January. During his fifth visit to the country, he met Ukraine’s Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal to discuss expanded support and battlefield lessons.
Sanctions on child deportations
The Foreign Secretary confirmed fresh sanctions against Russians accused of orchestrating the forced deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children. More than 19,500 children are reported to have been taken to Russia or occupied territories since the invasion began.
