Zelensky promises hundreds of drones and missiles ahead of UK visit

The UK will supply Ukraine with «hundreds» of long-range strike drones and air defense missiles, No. 10 reported on Monday. as announced, Rishi Sunak will hold talks with Volodymyr Zelensky.

The leaders will meet at Checkers, the prime minister's country residence, to discuss further military assistance to support Ukraine's long-awaited counter-offensive to expel their Russian occupiers.

"This is a defining moment in Ukraine's resistance to a terrible war of aggression that they did not choose or instigate.

“They need the continued support of the international community to defend against the barrage of incessant and indiscriminate attacks that have been their daily reality for more than a year.” This is stated in the statement of Sunak.

"We mustn't let them down. The front line of Putin's war of aggression may be in Ukraine, but the fault lines stretch all over the world. It is in our interest to succeed Ukraine, and Putin's barbarism will not be rewarded.”

Promises of further long-range weapons came after the UK provided Storm Shadow air-to-surface cruise missiles. to Kyiv.

Unmanned aerial vehicles with a range of 124 miles

In a statement ahead of the talks, No10 said it would add «hundreds» to Ukraine's long-range arsenal. attack drones and air defense missiles.

Britain did not say which drones would be transferred to Kiev, but said the unmanned aerial systems would have a range of more than 124 miles, almost double the range of the Himars Multiple Launch Rocket System.

Kyiv claims it needs longer-range weapons to hit Russian logistics and command and control facilities deep behind enemy lines in order to disrupt its occupation.

Mr. Zelensky, Ukraine& #39 ;the US president made a mini-tour of Europe, visiting Rome, Berlin and Paris over the weekend for talks with his Western allies.

French President Emmanuel Macron promised to train and equip several Ukrainian battalions with dozens of armored vehicles and light tanks, including the AMX-10.

Germany has promised to send almost 3 billion euros worth of weapons to Ukraine, including more anti-aircraft missile systems and tanks, in an attempt to heal the past rift between Berlin and Kiev.