UK to fund Patriot purchases for Ukraine: New aid package details
Photo: Patriot air defense systems (twitter.com/oleksiireznikov)
The United Kingdom is allocating 100 million pounds sterling (about 135 million dollars) for a new air defense package for Ukraine ahead of winter, according to the British government.
The new aid package will include interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems, large-caliber artillery shells, and drones. The weapons will be supplied through the PURL mechanism, under which allies procure US weapons for Ukraine's needs.
The Patriot missiles and other weapons will be delivered to Ukraine before winter sets in. This will help protect critical national infrastructure, the civilian population, and Ukrainian military personnel from Russian attacks.
The aid package was announced following a visit by the British Prime Minister and Defence Secretary to Kyiv, where they met with the Ukrainian President to discuss the importance of additional support ahead of winter.
British Defense Secretary Wes Streeting emphasizes that the allies understand Russia's intentions to once again use the cold season as a weapon against Ukraine’s civilian population and energy infrastructure.
"Both the Prime Minister and I heard loud and clear on our first visits to Kyiv the importance of supporting Ukraine through this winter, as Putin prepares to use winter as a weapon by continuing barbaric attacks against civilian and energy targets," he notes.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the US supported a winter package for Ukraine, which will include air defense and assistance in the energy sector.
Spain will continue to provide Ukraine with missiles for the Patriot air defense system to help protect its airspace from Russian ballistic attacks.
