The UK has provided Ukraine with more than $1.3 billion (£1 billion) in military aid, paid for with proceeds from frozen Russian assets.
British Defense Secretary John Healey said that the funds received from frozen Russian assets were used to pay for more than £1 billion in weapons and military support purchased by Britain on behalf of Ukraine. The UK government’s press service reported this.
The British government said this had enabled the delivery of hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, hundreds of air defense missiles, spare parts, and new contracts for the maintenance and repair of equipment and vehicles.
Healey said his country was reviewing the readiness of its armed forces and accelerating funding to be ready for any deployment of forces in Ukraine.
According to reports, the UK has provided Ukraine with the following assistance over the past 50 days:
- 4.7 million rounds of small arms ammunition;
- 60,000 artillery shells, missiles, and rocket launchers;
- more than 2,500 drones;
- more than 200 electronic warfare systems;
- 100 light weapons;
- 30 vehicles;
- additional equipment to counter drones and air defense.
“The UK remains committed to ensuring a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, having allocated £4.5 billion this year for military support to Ukraine,” the statement said.
It is also noted that the British government has provided Ukraine with a loan of £2.26 billion through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Fund, which is being repaid using funds received from the sale of frozen Russian assets.
“The UK is stepping up military support to help Ukraine defend itself in today’s fight against Putin’s illegal invasion, while doing everything possible to secure peace in the future through a ‘coalition of the determined,'” Healey added.
Earlier, the British government imposed sanctions on those in Russia who forcibly deport, indoctrinate, and militarize Ukrainian children.
It was also reported that Britain would continue a training program for Ukrainian soldiers to help Kyiv strengthen its army ahead of any potential peace deal to end Russia’s war.
