The UK is set to bolster its military support for Ukraine by dispatching hundreds of short-range missiles, as highlighted during a crucial summit where President Volodymyr Zelensky advocated for permission to target areas deep within Russia using Western-supplied weaponry.
During the opening of the summit at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, President Zelensky made a strong appeal for additional military assistance, stressing the urgent need for support in the eastern Donetsk region, where Ukrainian forces continue to encounter significant Russian offensives.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed an aid package valued at £162 million, which includes the provision of 650 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM). He emphasized that this new support would provide a vital enhancement to Ukraine’s air defenses and demonstrate the UK’s commitment to stepping up its aid efforts.
Experts, including former defence and security think tank director Michael Clark, express concerns that the newly supplied missiles may be depleted within just a few months, underlining the urgent need for comprehensive support as Russian bombardments intensify.
These LMMs, designed for precision with minimal collateral damage, have already been deployed to Ukraine in significant numbers. In a commitment made earlier in July, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged to provide £3 billion annually to Ukraine for as long as necessary. To date, the UK has committed a total of £12.7 billion in aid since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, with £7.6 billion allocated for military support.
Additionally, the United States announced a new military aid package worth $250 million (£189.9 million) for Ukraine. President Zelensky’s presence at the summit follows a tragic Russian missile strike on Poltava, which claimed at least 51 lives.
In his address to international partners, Zelensky emphasized the importance of swift deployment of any announced support packages, particularly in the Donetsk region, framing this as crucial to countering Russian advances.
Zelensky also urged Western allies to approve the use of long-range missiles against targets inside Russia, stating that such capability is essential for ending the conflict. He criticized any hesitation regarding long-range military support, asserting the necessity of having this capability beyond just occupied Ukrainian territories.
The UK has previously affirmed Ukraine’s “clear right” to utilize British-supplied equipment for self-defense, which includes operations that may occur inside Russian territory. However, the use of long-range Storm Shadow missiles remains restricted to areas within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.
While the US has provided long-range missile systems to Ukraine this year, these have also not been authorized for strikes against targets within Russia.
