UK to fast-track missile deliveries to Ukraine to counter jet-powered Shahed drones
Photo: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham (Getty Images)
The UK will speed up deliveries of Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) to Ukraine, which effectively shoot down jet-powered Shahed drones, and is preparing new sanctions against Russia. The announcements will be made during Zelenskyy's visit to London, according to the office of the UK prime minister.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is being hosted at Downing Street by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The sides will discuss, among other things, protection against jet-powered Shahed drones, which Russia uses to strike far behind the front line, including Kyiv. These drones fly faster and higher than conventional propeller-driven Shaheds, making them harder to detect and shoot down.
British LMM missiles have proven effective against precisely these types of targets. London has already committed to providing Ukraine with more than 5,000 such missiles over four years, worth £1.6 billion. Now, under a new £45 million package of anti-aircraft missiles, deliveries worth £10 million will be accelerated to meet Ukraine's most urgent needs this winter.
Burnham has instructed ministers to prepare new packages of sanctions, military aid, and financial assistance, which Ukraine is expected to receive in the coming weeks. London is also fully implementing a ban on maritime services for Russian liquefied natural gas exports, restricting Russia's access to British shipping and insurance companies.
"My message to the Ukrainian people could not be clearer, we are with you for as long as it takes, and we will go further and faster in our support to back your courageous fight for peace in Europe," the prime minister said.
The UK is urging partners to strengthen sanctions and increase pressure on Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to ensure he heeds US calls for an energy truce. Finance Minister John Healey will urge allies at IMF meetings in Bangkok to also ban services for Russian liquefied natural gas.
" I urge partners to back the ban on Russian LNG, like we have done in the UK, to curtail the war chest funding Putin so desperately wants," Healey emphasized.
Jet-powered Shaheds have become one of the most dangerous challenges for Ukraine's air defenses. In late September, Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara called on the EU to finance interceptors for these drones.
