Search and rescue efforts continue at the shopping center damaged by Russian shelling on Friday. Photo: Yuriy Tynny/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images < p>Britain vowed to send hundreds of air defense missiles to Ukraine on Friday after Russia launched its biggest aerial bombardment since the war began.
The Telegraph understands the announcement Defense Minister Grant Shapps was brought forward over concerns that Moscow could launch a new strike over the New Year weekend.
Western intelligence chiefs believe Russian President Vladimir Putin may be preparing a new wave of missiles and drones as part of the winter campaigns against civilian targets.
Britain promises to provide 200 new advanced short-range air-to-air aircraft. The missiles (AMRAAM) arrive as Western arms supplies dwindle amid a crisis in support for Ukraine.
Mr Shapps said Friday's Russian attack was Mr Putin's “test of Western resolve”, adding: “Now is the time for the free world to come together and redouble our efforts to give Ukraine what they need to win.”Joe Biden, the US president, said on Friday that “history will judge harshly those who fail” to send more support to Kyiv as his key $61 billion package remains blocked in Congress. Hungary has blocked a huge tranche of EU funding.
Early on Friday, Russian troops launched 158 missiles and drones, killing at least 30 people across Ukraine and injuring hundreds more.
The bombing came days after Ukraine angered Moscow by sinking a warship in Crimea. Kyiv described the strikes, which destroyed residential buildings and punched holes in a maternity hospital, as a wake-up call to the West.
Western and Ukrainian intelligence believe Russia has spent months stockpiling missiles for the winter to suppress air defenses defenses and divert attention away from the front lines, where they are making gradual progress.
The renewed Russian air campaign is expected to focus on forcing the Ukrainians into submission by destroying energy and thermal infrastructure across the country.“We are doing everything to strengthen our air shield,” Andriy Ermak, head of Vladimir Zelensky. staff, said Friday. “But the world needs to see that we need more support and strength to stop this terror.”
Mr Shapps responded with an announcement of additional air defense missiles, part of an existing deal put forward as a result of the latest Russian bombings .
The UK will supply 200 AMRAAM missiles, which are manufactured in the UK and are typically launched from aircraft but have been redesigned to be fired from the ground by Ukrainian forces.
Earlier this week, Washington announced a $250 million package to supply even more anti-aircraft ammunition to Kiev, which would be the last if Biden fails to reach an agreement about new funds.
“Unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defense systems Ukraine needs to protect its people. Congress must step up and act without any further delay,” the president warned on Friday.
“Putin's goal remains unchanged. He seeks to destroy Ukraine and subjugate its people. It must be stopped.”
Ukrainian air defenses were reported to have successfully shot down 87 cruise missiles and 27 kamikaze strike drones on Friday, but about 20 ballistic missiles, including some hypersonic ones, appeared to fly by.
At least eight people were killed. in Kyiv, where Ukrainian forces have accumulated the most air defense systems. The first direct missile hit in the Ukrainian capital in months destroyed a warehouse.
In Dnepr, a maternity hospital and a shopping center caught fire after missiles fell nearby. Six people are reported to have died in the central Ukrainian city.
Seven people died in the south of Zaporozhye, four in the port city of Odessa and three in Kharkov, near the Russian border.
Lt. Gen. Nikolai Oleschuk, commander of the Ukrainian air force, said the strikes were the largest air strike since the Russian invasion began last year.
The scale of the attack was described as “massive,” with volleys of missiles from 18 Tu-95 bombers, Tu-22 aircraft and difficult-to-intercept Kinzhal hypersonic missiles from MiG-31 fighters.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that during the long-range attack it only struck military targets.< /p>
Earlier this week, Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian warship moored deep behind enemy lines in occupied Crimea with a British-donated Storm Shadow missile. this week.
Mr Zelensky vowed to retaliate after Moscow's attacks, saying: “We will definitely respond to terrorist strikes.”
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