Drones for Ukraine: UK to send Kyiv more military aid after Biden gives Zelenskyy go-ahead to strike within Russia

19 November 2024, 00:33 | Updated: 19 November 2024, 01:09

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as the UK commits to sending more drones
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as the UK commits to sending more drones. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

Britain has given Ukraine a further £7.5 million in military aid amid a growing row over the US deciding to allow Kyiv to strike at Russia with American-supplied long-range missiles.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The UK will provide £7.5 million for new attack and surveillance drones, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

It comes as Russia's invasion enters its 1,000th day and amid concerns about a potential change of US stance under Donald Trump, who has said he wants to end the conflict "in a day".

Mr Trump's team were furious about Joe Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to use its long-range missiles within Russia, with one ally and former aide telling LBC that the outgoing president wants to "sabotage" the peace process.

Russia, meanwhile, has warned of a "tangible response" if Ukraine uses American missiles to strike its territory.

The £7.5 million announced on Tuesday by the British government will be invested through the drone coalition, with other allies providing an additional £16 million including £10 million from Germany, £3 million from Canada and £3 million from Luxembourg.

Read more: Defiant Biden says US 'supports Ukraine's sovereignty' after Russia's WW3 warning over long-range missile threat

Read more: Trump ally says Biden is 'sabotaging peace in Ukraine' admitting president-elect likely to reverse missile agreement

Is Biden's decision to lift the ban on the use of US long-range missiles' in Ukraine 'too little to late'?

This brings the total fund to £67 million, including a total of £15 million from the UK, the Ministry of Defence said.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: "The UK has stood side by side with our Ukrainian allies since day one of Putin's illegal, full-scale invasion - leading international support, training 50,000 recruits and supplying weapons, drones and other crucial military kit.

"1,000 days after Putin initiated his full-scale invasion, our commitment to Ukraine remains ironclad. President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people will have our fullest support for as long as it takes.

"As we look towards a winter of continued Russian attacks on military and civilian targets, it is critical that international partners and allies come together to back Ukraine and ensure that Putin does not succeed."

Russia launches massive missile and drone attack against Ukraine infrastructure

On Wednesday, Parliament will debate the second reading of the Financial Assistance to Ukraine Bill, which will confirm the UK's £2.26 billion loan to Kyiv for further military equipment.

Meanwhile, armed forces minister Luke Pollard will visit Operation Interflex - the code name for the UK armed forces programme that has helped train Ukrainian recruits - training in the east of England on Tuesday to meet troops.

It comes after the Government announced that more than 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been trained on UK soil since the start of the Kremlin's invasion in 2022.

Mr Pollard said the operation, supported by instructors from 12 other nations, was a "perfect example of how we are working side-by-side with allies to bolster the security of Ukraine, which in turn boosts the security of Europe and the UK."

Matthew completely disagrees with caller who thinks Russia is 'justified' in its invasion of Ukraine

Britain has vowed to "double down" on its support for Kyiv, with speculation mounting in recent months that UK-supplied missiles could be used by Ukrainian forces to hit targets deep inside Russia.

On Monday, the British Government would not be drawn on whether restrictions on the use of Storm Shadow missiles would be eased but said it was working in "close co-operation" with the US.

Joe Biden has allowed Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons to strike sites in Russia after months of pressure from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Starmer said on Monday that he is "not going to get into operational details" with regards to missiles in Ukraine "because the only winner, if we were to do that, is (Vladimir) Putin."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer works on board a Government plane as he travels to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to attend the G20 summit. Picture date: Sunday November 17, 2024.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer works on board a Government plane as he travels to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to attend the G20 summit. Picture date: Sunday November 17, 2024. Picture: Alamy

Speaking to broadcasters at the G20 in Brazil he said: "I've been really clear for a long time now we need to double down.

"We need to make sure Ukraine has what is necessary for as long as necessary, because we cannot allow Putin to win this war."

Asked if he had spoken to Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, he said: "I haven't spoken to Russia and I've got no plans to do so."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Breaking
Price reduction. Shopping basket containing only reduced price food, England, UK

UK inflation rises to 3% as households feel the squeeze

Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - February 18, 2025

ASAP Rocky embraces Rihanna as US rapper found not guilty of firing gun at former friend

Trump suggests Ukraine responsible for Russian invasion as he calls on country to elect new leader

Trump demands Zelenskyy hold elections as he suggests Ukraine responsible for Russian invasion

Rick Buckler

Rick Buckler, drummer of The Jam, dies aged 69 - former bandmate Paul Weller confirms

Kitchen knives on a magnetic bar holder on the wall

Round-edged blades safer alternatives than sharp-pointed kitchen knives, research shows - in bid to tackle knife crime

A large sinkhole has forced the closure of the high street in the Surrey village of Godstone

Homes evacuated and major incident declared after 65ft sinkhole appears in Surrey village

Lydia Mugambe

United Nations judge forced woman to work as slave after tricking her to come to UK, court hears

Craig and Lindsay Foreman

Did motorbike couple's 'happiness' survey prompt arrest on spying charges in Iran?

Abdirahman Ibrahim has been convicted of murder after driving into the back of Liam Jones

Killer driver mows down e-bike rider to 'teach him lesson' for doing wheelies

The Vatican says Pope Francis is being treated for 'bilateral pneumonia'

New scans show Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs but Vatican says he remains ‘in good spirits’

Meghan

Meghan Markle could face 'legal action' from Spanish town as her new luxury brand logo faces resemblance to coat of arms

The father of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif is reportedly being protected by a 'Muslim gang'

Sara Sharif's father protected by 'Muslim gang' in jail after being attacked with jagged tuna lid

Zhenhao Zou is accused of raping three women in London and 7 in China, whilst they were unconscious

PhD student 'discussed rape role-play' with alleged victim, trial hears

Exclusive
Senior Tories including Suella Braverman and Michael Gove have criticised the judge's comments

Senior Tories blast 'out of touch' judge for 'ludicrous attack' on Starmer’s migrant remarks

Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, died in an airstrike, Hamas said

Bodies of youngest Israeli hostage Kfir Bibas and his brother and mother to be handed over as family ‘in turmoil’

Lisa Smith, 43, was with a female friend when she was killed outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent

Man suspected of fatally shooting wife outside pub on Valentine's Day rang friend and said 'she's dead'