Ukraine's military to get biggest-ever shipment of UK drones
TL;DR
The UK is sending 120,000 drones to Ukraine, marking the largest shipment of drones to date. This announcement comes as Ukraine continues to utilize drones effectively in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
Key points
- UK is providing 120,000 drones to Ukraine
- Largest delivery of drones to Ukraine to date
- Drones are crucial in the ongoing war in Ukraine
- Ukrainian forces recently captured a Russian position using drones
- UK Defence Secretary emphasizes focus on Ukraine amidst global distractions
Mentioned in this story
The UK is providing 120,000 drones to Ukraine in what the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said is the largest delivery of its kind.
Drones have increasingly come to dominate both sides of the war in Ukraine, which entered its fifth year in February.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey said "with eyes on the Middle East in recent weeks, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin wants us to be distracted", as he announced the "big boost" before co-chairing a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Berlin later on Wednesday.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had captured a Russian position using ground-based and aerial drones alone for the first time.
The UK drones announcement follows Zelensky's suggestion that US peace negotiators "have no time for Ukraine" because of the war with Iran, AFP reports.
The package will include long-range strike drones, reconnaissance drones, logistics drones and those with maritime capabilities, with many produced by UK-based companies.
Delivery of the "cutting-edge battlefield technology" started this month, the MoD said.
"Ukrainians continue to fight with huge courage and nothing will distract us from continuing to stand with them for as long as it takes to secure peace," Healey said in a statement.
He is set to co-chair a meeting of the 50-nation Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Berlin later alongside Nato Secretary General Rutte and the Ukrainian and German defence ministers.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is also expected to announce further support measures for Ukraine later at a meeting of international finance ministers in Washington DC.
This will consist of a £752m payment to Kyiv, which is part of a wider £3.36bn loan.
"This funding will help deliver the military equipment Ukraine needs as it defends itself against Russia's unprovoked war," Reeves said.
There have been further Russian attacks on Ukraine, after the expiry at the end of Sunday of a supposed ceasefire to mark Orthodox Easter.
Overnight, Ukraine's northern Sumy region saw three separate strikes on an industrial zone of the city including while rescuers worked there, the country's emergency services said.
Russian strikes also hit the south of Odesa, causing fires in the vicinity of its port.
There have been several rounds of peace talks, with the US acting as a mediator, but the process has been on hold since Donald Trump shifted his focus to the Middle East.
What Kyiv wants – and has proposed, repeatedly – is a full, stable ceasefire as a first step towards negotiating a lasting end to Russia's invasion.
But Moscow insists on agreeing the peace deal first, prompting accusations from Kyiv that Russia is not serious about ending the fighting.
Q&A
What is the significance of the UK sending 120,000 drones to Ukraine?
This shipment represents the largest delivery of drones from the UK to Ukraine, enhancing Ukraine's military capabilities in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
How are drones being used in the Ukraine conflict?
Drones have become crucial for both sides in the war, with Ukraine recently capturing a Russian position using only ground-based and aerial drones.
What did UK Defence Secretary John Healey say about the drone shipment?
John Healey described the drone shipment as a 'big boost' for Ukraine and emphasized the importance of not being distracted by other global conflicts.
