UKRINFORM
07.07.2024 20:51
Newly appointed UK Defense Secretary John Healey has assured that the UK will continue to support Ukraine on its path to victory.
John Healey said this at a joint briefing with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Odesa, Ukrinform reports.
“There may have been a change in government, but the UK is united for Ukraine. We reinvigorate Britain’s support by stepping up supplies of vital military aid,” he said.
Healey also promised to speed up the delivery to fight against the aggressor and underscored that Britain will stand with Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.
In his turn, Rustem Umerov said that the visit of the new UK Defense Secretary to Odesa – Healey’s first foreign visit in this position – coincided with the Ukrainian Navy Day.
“Security in the Black Sea region is our priority, and our colleagues from the UK support us in this. The United Kingdom is one of our key partners, and we greatly appreciate its assistance in countering Russian aggression,” Umerov said.
He also emphasized the importance of Healey’s visit to Ukraine ahead of the NATO summit in Washington.
“We are grateful to our British partners for supporting our aspirations to become full members of the alliance. I would like to express special gratitude for this year’s assistance package, which includes modern drones. We are also grateful for the exemplary training of our military personnel, in particular, pilots and engineers,” Umerov said.
As reported by Ukrinform, the Labour Party won a landslide victory in the UK election on July 4. Outgoing British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak admitted the defeat of his Conservative Party. Labour Party’s leader Keir Starmer has become Britain’s new prime minister.
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New Defence Secretary John Healey hides from air raid in Ukrainian bunker
Britain’s new Defence Secretary John Healey was forced to take cover from a Russian air raid in a bomb shelter during his first official visit to Ukraine.
Mr Healey, who promised extra weapons and support for Ukraine immediately after Sir Keir Starmer‘s Labour government came to power three days ago, dashed for cover from Vladimir Putin’s missiles as air raid sirens rang out across Odessa.
On Thursday night, Mr Healey was at sports hall in South Yorkshire celebrating Labour’s historic landslide victory which has seen them return to power for the first time in 14 years.
But just 72 hours later, the new Defence Secretary was rushed to a bunker, where he pledged to continue backing President Volodymyr Zelenskyand Ukraine in their fight against Putin‘s army.
Mr Healey had been welcomed by counterpart Rustem Umerov when they were alerted to the missile strike threat.
Mr Healey leaving Number 10 following Labour’s first cabinet meeting. Labour have committed to supporting Ukraine and pledged help within 100 days.
Along with Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, they were scrambled to the basement of a Soviet-era building acting as Mr Umerov’s temporary base, The Sun reports.
Mr Healy has directed officials to fast-track a package of support that was pledged last April by the previous government.
He has promised desperate Ukraine forces that the much needed help will be delivered within the next 100 days.
The package includes more artillery and 90 Brimstone missiles on top of more than £7.6 billion of military assistance sent to Ukraine since Russia‘s full-scale invasion in 2022.
The announcements came after Foreign SecretaryDavid Lammy said UK military, economic, political and diplomatic support for Ukraine will ‘remain ironclad’ under the Labour Government.
Mr Healey said: ‘As the new Defence 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.
‘This Government is steadfast in our commitment to continue supplying military assistance and will stand shoulder to shoulder with our Ukrainian friends for as long as it takes.’
The MoD said the new package of support includes ammunition, 90 Brimstone missiles, 50 small military boats to support river and coastal operations, 40 demining vehicles, 10 AS-90 artillery guns and support for previously gifted ones, and 61 bulldozers to help build defensive positions.
The department said the UK’s commitment in April included 400 vehicles, 1,600 strike and air defence missiles, 4 million rounds of ammunition and 60 boats, including offshore raiding craft.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said: ‘The recent milestone of 500,000 Russians killed or wounded is a reminder of how badly this war has gone for Russia.
‘Over the past year, with British help, Ukraine has driven the Russian fleet from Crimea and reopened the Black Sea for exports.
‘The battle on land is much tougher but Ukraine’s future as a sovereign nation is not in doubt.’
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov with Mr Healey. The government had said that aid, previously promised in April last year, will be delivered in the next three months
Kier Starmer meeting with Mr Zelensky at Speaker’s House in the Palace of Westminster, London. Despite claims by Rishi Sunak that help for Ukraine would be scaled back, Labour have committed to strengthening the UK-Ukraine relationship.
He added: ‘By continuing to support Ukraine, and by helping to ensure Russia loses, Britain and Europe will be stronger and safer over the long term.’
Mr Healey’s visit to Ukraine within 48 hours of taking on the role is likely to be viewed as a signal from the Government about its commitment to supporting Ukraine.
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak had claimed during the General Election campaign that multi-year support to Ukraine would be put at risk under Labour.
The UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine contrasts to Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orban who told Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine needs to lay down its arms in the war with Russia.
Mr Orban – Europe’s most pro-Russian leader – made the comments in Kyiv a day after Hungary took over the rotating presidency of the EU.
Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Russian territory this year, targeting both energy sites it says supply the Russian army and towns and villages just across the border.
It comes after Russian strikes on Friday night left over 100,000 households without power in northern Ukraine and cut off the water supply to a regional capital, Ukrainian authorities reported Saturday, while civilian casualties rose sharply in the country’s embattled east.
Russia is continually targeting Ukraine’s badly damaged energy infrastructure, resulting in hours of rolling blackouts across the country. Ukrainian officials have warned that the situation may worsen as winter approaches.
In the Donetsk region in the east, Russian shelling on Friday and overnight killed 11 civilians and wounded 43, local Gov. Vadym Filashkin reported on Saturday.
Five people died in the town of Selydove southeast of Pokrovsk, the eastern city that has emerged as a front-line hotspot.
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7 July, 2024Offshore Raiding Craft (ORC) of the Royal Navy of Great Britain
Britain to Provide New Howitzers and Dozens of Boats to Ukraine
#Ammunition Europe Great Britain Military assistanceSpeedboats Ukraine World
The United Kingdom has announced a new military aid package that will include missiles, AS-90 artillery systems, combat boats and other weapons.
The news was published on the UK government website.
At the end of his visit to Odesa, the new UK Secretary of Defense, John Healey, announced another package of military support for Ukraine.
The new tranche includes:
- 250,000 rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition
- 90 Brimstone missiles
- 50 small military boats for river and coastal operations
- 40 demining vehicles
- 10 AS-90 artillery systems
- Support for previously provided AS-90s, including 32 new barrels and other spare parts
- 61 bulldozers to assist in the creation of defensive positions
AS-90 self-propelled howitzers at exercises of Ukrainian artillerymen
The British Secretary of Defense also instructed officials to expedite the delivery of weapons allocated as part of the April aid package to Ukraine, ensuring that the full delivery is completed within the next 100 days.
In April 2024, the United Kingdom announced the largest-ever military aid package to Ukraine. It included 400 vehicles, 1,600 strike and anti-aircraft missiles, and additional Storm Shadow missiles.
At the same time, the UK agreed to significantly enhance the surface capabilities of the Ukrainian military by providing 60 boats, including maritime raiding and diving boats, as well as naval guns.
During the visit, which coincided with Ukraine’s annual Navy Day celebrations, the Defense Minister confirmed that the new government would increase British support.
“As the new defense secretary, I will make sure that we renew the UK’s support by increasing the supply of vital military assistance,” said Geeley.
In April, former UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps stated that the government was considering transferring the first samples of the advanced DragonFire laser air defense system to Ukraine.
This new Labour government has already exceeded my expectations and hit the ground running on its Ukraine policy.
Let’s get these anti-drone laser prototypes out there ASAP.
“As the new defense secretary, I will make sure that we renew the UK’s support by increasing the supply of vital military assistance,” said Geeley.”
Most welcome.
(Btw Healey sometimes becomes “Geeley” because of transliteration).
The UK is one of several supporters that will need to dramatically increase support if God forbid, putler gets his pet toad into the WH.