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Local sources from United Kingdom: GOV.UK, Sky News.
UK coverage: Sky News.

In a significant move to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia, the UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a £500 million military aid package. This aid package, which includes essential munitions, marks the largest-ever provision of military support to Ukraine. The package consists of 400 vehicles, 60 boats, 1,600 strike and air defense missiles, and four million rounds of ammunition. Russian forces have been gaining ground in recent weeks, with the occupation of Avdiivka and other villages. This aid package brings the UK’s total military aid to Ukraine this financial year to £3 billion.

The Prime Minister, on a visit to Poland and Germany, is expected to unveil the aid package. During the visit, he will engage in discussions with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, focusing on the threat posed by Russia and the UK’s efforts to support European security.

The additional £500 million in funding announced today will be utilized to rapidly deliver urgently-needed ammunition, air defense systems, drones, and engineering support. The Ministry of Defence will dispatch the largest-ever single package of equipment from the UK, designed to help repel the Russian invasion on land, sea, and air.

Defending Ukraine against Russia’s aggressive ambitions is crucial for our security and for all of Europe, stated Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. He emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine’s armed forces, who continue to fight valiantly. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps highlighted the UK’s commitment to Ukraine, being the first to provide anti-tank missiles, modern tanks, and long-range missiles.

The crisis in the Middle East has diverted global attention from the conflict in Ukraine, but the UK’s aid package comes at a critical time as Russian forces have been gaining ground. The US House of Representatives recently passed a $60.8 billion bill to support Ukraine, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the international support.

During his visit, the Prime Minister will also seek to strengthen UK-Poland ties and offer the deployment of an RAF Typhoon Squadron for NATO monitoring over Poland next year. The UK’s commitment to European security and its support for Ukraine demonstrates its unwavering dedication to defending national interests and standing by its NATO allies.