The newly appointed Defence Secretary John Healey visited Odesa on Sunday and the Labour Cabinet member has pledged £7.6 billion in a military aid package.
During Healey’s visit to Odesa, he was forced to flee to a bomb shelter during a missile attack on Saturday whilst he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
Healey confirmed that the UK will be providing Ukraine with “Brimstone missiles” thousands of rounds of artillery rounds and a “quarter of a million of 50-caliber ammunition.”
The British Defence Secretary immediately asked for more support for Ukraine once he was appointed to his position on Friday and Healey pledged to fast track the military support within “100 days.”
Read more related news:
Hypersonic missiles rock Kyiv in ‘one of the worst attacks’ as a children’s hospital reduced to rubble
Healey said, “There may have been a change in government, but the UK is united for Ukraine.
“As the new Defense Secretary, I will ensure that we reinvigorate Britain’s support by stepping up supplies of vital military aid. Our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people is absolute, as is our resolve to confront Russian aggression and pursue Putin for his war crimes.”
Meeting with his counterpart Healey said the UK will provide Ukraine with more artillery guns and almost 100 precision Brimstone missiles for their needs on the frontline.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement, “This new package includes: a quarter of a million of 50 caliber ammunition, 90 anti-armor Brimstone missiles, 50 small military boats to support river and coastal operations, 40 de-mining vehicles, 10 AS-90 artillery guns, 61 bulldozers to help build defensive positions, support for previously gifted AS-90s, including 32 new barrels and critical spares which will help Ukraine fire another 60,000 155mm rounds.”
