The United Kingdom has used proceeds from immobilised Russian assets to pay for more than £1 billion in weapons and military support for Ukraine, Defence Secretary John Healey announced in Kyiv on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The funding has delivered artillery ammunition, air defence missiles, spare parts and support contracts to sustain Ukraine’s frontline forces.
Arms Deliveries
In the past 50 days, Britain has supplied:
- 4.7 million rounds of small arms ammunition
- 60,000 artillery shells, rockets and missiles
- More than 2,500 drones
- Over 200 electronic warfare systems
- 100 light weapons
- 30 vehicles
- Additional counter-drone and air defence equipment
The surge followed London’s call for allies to step up deliveries in a 50-day drive to reinforce Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
Coalition Meeting
Healey also co-chaired a virtual session of the “Coalition of the Willing,” involving more than 30 countries. Participants discussed plans for a potential multinational force to be deployed if a peace settlement is reached, as well as force composition across air, sea and land.
The Defence Secretary said Britain is reviewing force readiness and accelerating funding to prepare for any deployment.
UK Commitment
The UK has committed £4.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year. That includes a £2.26 billion loan through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Fund, repaid using proceeds from frozen Russian assets.
“More than £1 billion of military support for Ukraine has now been paid for by immobilised Russian assets,” Healey said. “We have accelerated deliveries of vital kit and equipment over the last 50 days into the hands of Ukrainian warfighters.”
The minister, on his fifth visit to Ukraine, also met Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to highlight growing defence-industrial ties, building on a 100-year security partnership signed in January.
Sanctions
The trip coincided with fresh UK sanctions against individuals linked to Russia’s forced deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children. More than 19,500 children have been transferred to Russia or occupied territories since the start of the war, according to Ukrainian officials.
U.K. MoD Press Release: Read more here
