British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has announced a $60 million air defense package for Ukraine during his first visit to Kyiv on Saturday, according to Downing Street.
The air-defense package, which Britain valued at 50 million pounds ($60 million), comes as Russia has been pounding Ukraine’s power grid and other key infrastructure from the air, causing widespread blackouts for millions of Ukrainians amid frigid weather.
The package includes radar and other technology to counter that Iran-supplied exploding drones that Russia has used against Ukrainian targets. It comes on top of a delivery of more than 1,000 anti-air missiles that Britain announced earlier this month.
During his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Sunak “confirmed that the UK will provide a major new package of air defense to help protect Ukrainian civilians and critical national infrastructure from an intense barrage of Russian strikes.”
“The £50 million package of defense aid comprises 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to counter deadly Iranian-supplied drones, including dozens of radars and anti-drone electronic warfare capability,” the statement continued.
During the surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital, Sunak laid flowers at a memorial for Ukraine’s war dead and lit a candle at a memorial for victims of the 1930s Holodomor famine, according to the statement.
The prime minister also met with Ukrainian first responders who recounted their “harrowing work” rescuing survivors from the rubble and fighting fires caused by Russian airstrikes and mortar attacks.
“It is deeply humbling to be in Kyiv today and to have the opportunity to meet those who are doing so much, and paying so high a price, to defend the principles of sovereignty and democracy,” Sunak said, according to the statement.
He expressed his pride that the UK has “stood with Ukraine from the very beginning,” saying his visit signified the UK’s commitment to “continue to stand with Ukraine, as it fights to end this barbarous war and deliver a just peace.”
In addition to the air defense package, Sunak also committed $14 million (12 million pounds) in funding for the World Food Programme’s Ukraine response as well as $5 million (4 million pounds) for the International Organization for Migration’s Ukraine response.
The U.K. has been one of the staunchest Western backers of Ukraine’s resistance to Russia’s invasion. Speaking alongside Zelenskyy, Sunak noted that the U.K has given 2.3 billion pounds ($2.7 billion) in military aid and pledged: “We will do the same again next year.”
“Your homes, your hospitals, your power stations are being destroyed,” Sunak said in announcing the new air-defense package. “You and your people are paying a heavy price in blood.”
Speaking through a translator, Zelenskyy said Russian strikes have damaged around half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
As snowflakes fell, Zelenskyy greeted Sunak at a presidential palace for their talks. He called the two countries “the strongest of allies.” Walking in the snow, they also inspected captured Russian tanks and other destroyed and rusting military hardware used by the invasion forces that are displayed in a Kyiv square.
“With friends like you by our side, we are confident in our victory. Both of our nations know what it means to stand up for freedom,” the Ukrainian leader said on Twitter.
“The courage of the Ukrainian people is an inspiration to the world,” Sunak said. “In years to come, we will tell our grandchildren of your story.”
He pledged that Britain “will stand with you until Ukraine has won the peace and security it needs and deserves and then we will stand with you as you rebuild your great country.”
CNN/AFP