Britain to speed up air defense missile deliveries to Ukraine and prepare new aid

The United Kingdom has announced a new package of air defense missiles for Ukraine worth £45 million and will expedite part of the deliveries ahead of winter. In addition, the British government is preparing additional sanctions against Russia, as well as military and financial support for Kyiv.

This was reported by the office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom ahead of the meeting between Andy Burnham and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy scheduled for October 14 in London.

London will expedite the delivery of British Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM), which are used to counter aerial targets, particularly jet-powered drones.

According to the British government's assessment, such missiles have demonstrated high effectiveness against new Russian jet drones. They are capable of flying faster and higher than conventional drones like the Shahed, making their detection and destruction more difficult.

From the new £45 million package, missile deliveries worth £10 million will be expedited to meet Ukraine's urgent needs during the winter period.

The United Kingdom has previously committed £1.6 billion to supply more than 5,000 LMM missiles over the next four years.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also instructed ministers to prepare new packages of sanctions against Russia, military assistance, and financial support for Ukraine. The relevant proposals must be developed in the coming weeks.

Separately, the British government has confirmed its intention to fully implement a ban on the provision of maritime services for the export of Russian liquefied natural gas. The restrictions are designed to cut off Russian exporters' access to British transport and insurance services.

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer John Glen, during meetings on the sidelines of International Monetary Fund events in Bangkok, will urge partners to introduce similar restrictions. London is also insisting on increased pressure on Moscow to compel it to heed the US call for a complete halt to strikes on energy infrastructure.

The preparation of new measures comes amid escalating Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy facilities. The British government emphasized that it will continue military support for Ukraine and will expedite the delivery of critically needed weaponry.

Source: UK Government