The UK has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, which includes hundreds more short-range missiles. This decision was revealed just before a summit where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies to authorize strikes on targets deep inside Russia with Western-supplied weapons.
The summit, held at the Ramstein air base in Germany, saw Zelensky make a passionate appeal for further military support, emphasizing the urgent need for aid in the eastern Donetsk region, where Ukrainian forces are contending with Russian attacks.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the £162 million package, which includes 650 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM). He stated that this new aid would significantly enhance Ukraine’s air defenses and demonstrate the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.
However, former Royal United Services Institute director-general Prof Michael Clark cautioned that the additional supply of missiles might be quickly depleted due to the intense Russian offensives. He highlighted that Ukraine requires “more of everything” given the current combat conditions.
The LMMs, manufactured by Thales, are known for their precision and low collateral damage, with a range of over 6 km (3.7 miles). The UK has already delivered hundreds of these missiles to Ukraine.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged £3 billion annually to Ukraine for as long as necessary. Since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, the UK has committed a total of £12.7 billion, including £7.6 billion in military support.
The US also announced a further $250 million (£189.9 million) in military aid. President Zelensky, who arrived in Ramstein on Friday following a deadly Russian missile attack on Poltava, urged international allies to ensure that support packages are promptly utilized on the battlefield.
Zelensky also called for the authorization of long-range missiles to strike targets within Russia, arguing that such capabilities are crucial for ending the war. While the UK has previously stated that Ukraine has the right to use British-provided weapons for self-defense, including operations inside Russia, the use of long-range Storm Shadow missiles outside Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders has not been authorized.
The US has also provided long-range missiles but has similarly restricted their use to targets within Ukraine.