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The UK has announced plans to deliver another batch of multi-role missiles and extend training to thousands of Ukrainian troops.
In a speech to Parliament, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps disclosed that the UK is sending 200 MBDA-built Brimstone missiles to Ukraine, marking a significant step as the second anniversary of Moscow’s invasion nears. Shapps highlighted the missiles’ battlefield effectiveness, saying these “missiles have previously had [a] significant impact on the battlefield, in one instance forcing Russian forces to abandon and retreat from an attempted crossing of a river.”
We're giving a further boost to Ukraine with our package of 200 Brimstone anti-tank missiles which have already had a significant impact in the fight against Putin's invasion. pic.twitter.com/nv9tem3vpM
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) February 22, 2024
This supply of Brimstones, combined with a recent commitment to spend $250 million on drones for Kyiv, comes at a crucial moment for Ukraine as it struggles to secure Western military aid. Shapps emphasized the urgency of supporting Ukraine with the necessary armaments, asserting, “This year will be make or break for Ukraine. So it’s time for the West — and all civilized nations — to step up and give Ukraine the backing it needs.”
Beyond missile delivery, the UK and its allies have committed to training 10,000 Ukrainian troops in the first half of this year, adding to the 60,000 already trained. The training program has seen contributions from nearly a dozen countries, including Australia, Canada, Finland, and Romania, with Estonia and Kosovo recently joining the list of nations participating in this effort.