Rishi Sunak told Volodymyr Zelensky that his country has «courage and resilience». were “an inspiration to all of us” Photo: Crown copyright
The UK will send hundreds of suicide drones to Ukraine, which it has manufactured specifically to support Kiev on the battlefield.
The announcement came when Volodymyr Zelensky met with Rishi Sunak to Checkers to discuss what further support the UK can provide.
The kamikaze drones have a range of over 125 miles — more than double that of the highly successful Himaras — and complement the long-range Storm Shadow missiles, donated by the UK to Ukraine last week.
Last Saturday, Ukraine fired cruise missiles for the first time, hitting a Russian supply depot and military command center 80 miles from the front line.
12:05 Storm Shadow vs. Himars Range
Defense sources admitted to The Telegraph that the drones were «one-sided», adding that their «primary purpose is to carry munitions».
“They were quickly developed and adapted at significantly less cost than others,” they said, adding that “their effect is comparable to an artillery shell.”
The source said the secrecy was driven by commercial confidence as the drones were still in the later stages of procurement, before adding: «They will be delivered in the coming months.»
Echoes of Churchill
The PM hosted the President of Ukraine in the same Checkers room that Sir Winston Churchill used to broadcast defiant speeches promising victory over the Nazis.
Mr. Sunak told Mr. Zelensky that «in the same way, your leadership, courage and resilience of your country inspire us all today.»
Following Monday's meeting, Mr. Zelensky said he was «very positively» refers to the creation of a «reactive coalition» in the war against Russia. , a decision is expected «soon».
Emmanuel Macron also said that France «opened the door» for the training of Ukrainian fighter pilots.
The French President said: «We opened the door for pilot training, and this is with several other European countries that are also ready. I think negotiations are underway with the Americans.”
The President of Ukraine met with Emmanuel Macron on Sunday. Photo: Corbis News
Earlier this year, QinetiQ, a Hampshire-based defense technology company, worked with the Department of Defense on an unmanned aerial vehicle program to «provide guidance on unmanned aircraft systems that could be easily deployed by the Ukrainian military.»
According to QinetiQ, one of the test projects included a 3D-printed delta-wing suicide drone. There was no indication that the weapons had been purchased for Ukraine.
In February, Mr Sunak pledged that the UK would provide Kiev with long-range capabilities that would «undermine Russia's ability to sustainably strike civilian and Ukraine's critical national infrastructure and help ease pressure on Ukraine's front lines.»
Earlier this month, Ukraine was forced to deny involvement in a drone attack on the Kremlin, and Western officials don't know where the drones came from. In providing drones to Ukraine on Monday, No. 10 made it clear that they were to be used only on Ukrainian soil.
Attack on the Kremlin
A spokesman for the prime minister said: “Our support has always been on the condition that it is used to protection of the sovereignty of Ukraine. It's the same with these drones.»
Asked if the UK government's position meant that striking targets in Russia would go beyond the goal of defending Ukraine, the spokesman replied: “Yes, I think there is no doubt. some of this military assistance we provide is used for something other than protecting Ukraine and Ukrainian soil.”
Greg Bagwell, President, UK Air & The Space Energy Association said that the concept of the new drones is similar to the delivery of Storm Shadow to Ukraine.
Storm Shadow cruise missile
He said: “It raises the stakes. It flies to a point on the ground and explodes.»
Mr Bagwell added that supplying Ukraine with drones that can travel over 100 miles allowed them to «strike outside the limited range of the artillery it had until now.”
He added: “Now Ukraine has a chance to strike back that it hasn’t had before.”
“This is a war of logistics, and if you can deny the other side access to logistics, that's what changed the game. Everyone has resisted going deep so far.
“But if you look at the geography and frontline, Russia was immune to attack from Ukraine. Now they have the opportunity to do something about it. This will make Russia think twice about what it is doing.”
Meanwhile, Russia said the new British weapons would only cause 'further destruction' as they said they shot down a Storm Shadow cruise missile, which the UK said last week it provided, in the first deployment by the West long-range missiles for Ukraine.
On Monday, Zelensky thanked Western partners for all the weapons purchased during his lightning visit to European capitals.
In addition to British support, France offered dozens more light tanks and armored vehicles, and Germany said it was preparing a new €2.7bn (£2.3bn) military package, the largest for Ukraine.
Свежие комментарии