The United Kingdom is evaluating plans to give Ukraine anti-aircraft Starstreak missiles to undermine Russia‘s attempt to gain superiority over its airspace.
Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace said the U.K. is mulling plans to supply Starstreak missiles in response to requests from Ukraine and added that the U.K. would also give Ukraine Javelin anti-tank missiles and other military aid.
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“It is vital, therefore, that Ukraine maintains its ability to fly and to suppress Russian air attacks,” Wallace said. “But the capability needs strengthening, so in response to Ukrainian requests, the government has taken the decision to explore the donation of Starstreak high-velocity, man-portable, anti-air missiles. We believe this system will remain within the definition of defensive weapons and allow the Ukrainian force to be able to defend their skies.”
OVER 12,000 RUSSIAN TROOPS KILLED IN WAR, UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS
Wallace also revealed that the U.K. had supplied Ukraine with about 2,000 Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapons during the war. He told the British Parliament that the U.K. would increase that number to 3,615.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has vowed to do everything he can to help Ukraine. In addition to providing lethal aid, the U.K. is also giving Ukraine military gear, helmets, small arms, food, and medical supplies. Wallace announced Tuesday the U.K. is upping its total aid to Ukraine to 220 million pounds, or roughly $289 million in the United States, the bulk of which would be humanitarian aid. He said the funding will make the U.K. the “single biggest bilateral humanitarian donor to Ukraine.”
The anti-tank weapons have helped Ukraine hold off Russia’s bloody offensive. Although not independently verified, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims the country has destroyed about 300 Russian tanks and 1,000 Russian armored vehicles throughout the course of the war.
A Ukrainian soldier in the Sumy region of Ukraine thanked the United Kingdom for sending weapons on Tuesday, saying, “Give us more toys like these and there will be more destroyed tanks.” pic.twitter.com/xlBc59TMfp
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 9, 2022
“This will be Putin’s end, this country, and so it should be because of, not only their spirit and the moral component that they have on their side, the Ukrainians, but also because it will be an impossible task to occupy such a people and a country,” Wallace said Tuesday, the Guardian reported.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the British Parliament Tuesday and implored the U.K. to supply Ukraine with more weapons.
So far, the U.K. and its NATO allies have rejected Zelensky’s requests to establish a no-fly zone in Ukraine, trying to avoid getting dragged into a conflict with Russia. But Western powers have aimed to help Ukraine stave off Russian aggression, with Johnson pledging to enact a “new Marshall Plan” to help Ukraine rebuild once its war with Russia ends.
