𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The UK is sending its biggest-ever package of drones to Ukraine in a blow to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. New Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis made the announcement as thick black smoke was seen over Moscow, after Ukraine hit the Russian capital with a barrage of strikes as part of its its fightback against Russia’s invasion.

Britain will provide 150,000 drones and 350 air defence missiles and radars to the war-torn nation by the end of the year. The equipment is funded by a £752 million tranche of the £2.26 billion loan to Kyiv financed with the profits of seized Russian assets. The Ukrainian-produced drones, lightweight multi-role missiles and ground-based radar systems are aimed at helping Ukraine counter Russian strikes on civilian targets.

The announcement was made by Mr Jarvis at the meetings of Nato defence ministers and the Ukraine defence contact group (UDCG) in Brussels, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Mr Jarvis, who was appointed Defence Secretary last week after the resignation of John Healey amid a row over the still-unpublished defence investment plan, co-chaired the 50-strong UDCG with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius.

Mr Jarvis said: “It is a privilege to attend my first Nato defence ministers meeting and host the vital Ukraine defence contact group with Germany.

“For 75 years, Nato has been the cornerstone of the UK’s security. My priorities are to strengthen the alliance’s deterrence and defence, and continue to support Ukraine as they defend their nation against Russia’s brutal war of aggression.

“This package of drones, air defence missiles and radars will help to protect innocent Ukrainian people from Putin’s barrage of drones and missiles, and it is an honour to welcome President Zelensky to this important meeting.”

The drone package comes on top of the 120,000 drones the UK delivered to Ukraine by the end of March.

Ukraine pounded targets around Moscow in one of its biggest drone attacks since the start of the war more than four years ago, Russian officials said on Thursday.

The air raid set a major oil refinery on fire and and disrupted commercial flights at Moscow airports.

It was in response to last week’s Russian attack on Kyiv, Mr Zelensky said, and part of his efforts to force Putin to the negotiating table as the war of attrition on the front line grinds on.