Putin has lost control of the war, the head of the British Armed Forces said during a visit to Kyiv

Ukrainian armed forces attacked the Crimean city of Sevastopol using a British-developed Storm Shadow missile

Putin has lost control of the war, the head of the British

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin visited Kiev with Defense Secretary Grant Shapps to reaffirm Britain's commitment to the war-torn country.

Sir Tony said he discussed new military aid with President Volodymyr Zelensky during Wednesday's visit.

“The recent strikes on the Black Sea Fleet are another example of Ukraine maintaining the initiative. «Putin has lost control of the war he started, and Russia is weakening as a result,» he said.

Last week, a British-developed Storm Shadow missile blew a hole in the roof of the Russian Navy headquarters in the Crimean city of Sevastopol.

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The Ukrainian Air Force described a daring attack on the nerve center of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. spokesman as “a blow to Putin’s dictatorship.”

Ukraine has repeatedly asked for more Western weapons, including longer-range ones, to retake occupied territories as front lines remain largely frozen.

< img src="/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cb3e2bb420a9bd20cb22f2aa02351352.jpg" />Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said that Ukraine has maintained the initiative against Vladimir Putin. Photo: Vladimir Astapkovich/Sputnik Kremlin

Boris Johnson last week called on Rishi Sunak to send more Storm Shadow missiles.

Mr Shapps said after the meeting: “I returned to Kiev this week to ask President Zelensky what he needs to win.”

Sébastien Lecornum, France's defense minister, was also due to hold talks with Mr Zelensky and his new defense minister, Rustem. Died.

“We know that this war will last a long time. We must ensure that tomorrow we continue to provide reliable assistance to Ukraine,” Mr. Lecornu said after laying flowers at the memorial to Ukraine’s fallen soldiers.

France supplied Ukraine with Scalp missiles, its version of Storm Shadows.< /p>

The UK Ministry of Defense said the visit to Kiev provided an opportunity for further discussions on military support following meetings in Ramstein, Germany, of representatives from 50 countries as part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group last week.

Sir Tony Radakin and Grant Shapps in Kyiv Photo: Gwar Vorin

Mr Shapps added: “It was an honor to meet President Zelensky.” in Kiev to reassure him that the UK will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, as we have done since Putin illegally invaded Crimea almost 10 years ago.»

He reiterated how the UK had trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, delivered hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition and provided millions of pounds of economic and humanitarian aid «to help the citizens of Ukraine reclaim and rebuild what was taken from them by Putin's barbaric actions.»

“Having heard about the experiences of so many Ukrainians affected by this war, including the family I hosted at home for a year, I am determined to maintain UK military support, especially with freezing winter weather approaching,” he said.

A satellite image shows smoke billowing above the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea. Photo: Planet Labs PBC/via AP

Mr Shapps previously visited Ukraine in August in his former role as Energy Secretary.

< p>On that occasion, he discussed support for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction and visited a kindergarten that was visiting one of the Ukrainian children he had sheltered at his home.

Like Mr Shapps, Mr Umerov is a recent appointment to this position.

Former Defense Minister Alexey Reznikov was sacked amid Zelensky's anti-corruption campaign due to concerns about Ukrainian defense procurement processes.

On Twitter, Mr Zelensky wrote: “I received the UK Defense Secretary (Grant Shapps) in Kiev.

“I am deeply grateful to the UK for all its financial, humanitarian and military support, including vital long-term support. range.

“We discussed further cooperation in the field of defense and steps to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense.”