Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has thanked British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak for the UK’s “largest defence support package for Ukraine to date.”
This came as the UK on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, pledged 500 million pounds ($620m) in new military supplies for Ukraine, including 400 vehicles, 60 boats, 1,600 munitions and four million rounds of ammunition.
The British government also stated that the shipment will also include British Storm Shadow long-range missiles, with a range of about 240km (150 miles) and have proven effective at hitting Russian targets.
Sunak spoke with Zelenskyy to confirm the new assistance package.
The leaders discussed the need to create an effective model for the confiscation of Russian assets.
They also paid special attention to their expectations for the inaugural Peace Summit in Switzerland and the 4th European Political Community Summit, which will be held this time in the UK.
“Storm Shadow and other missiles, hundreds of armoured vehicles and watercraft, ammunition—all of this is needed on the battlefield,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
“I am grateful to the UK, and personally to Prime Minister Sunak for such a strong demonstration of support and for the willingness to further develop our defence cooperation, especially with an emphasis on maritime and long-range capabilities.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Separately, Ukraine’s Defence Ministry announced that Lithuania delivered armored vehicles and “light attack aircraft.”
“Lithuania has handed over M577 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. Also, Lithuania delivered a disassembled L-39ZA “Albatros” light attack aircraft,” the ministry said in a post on X.
“We are grateful to our Lithuanian friends for their unwavering support. The power of unity brings victory closer,” it added.
Russia Claims To Dispel “Myth” Western Weapon Superiority
Also on Tuesday, Russian Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu, addressing his department’s officials, asserted that Russia has “dispelled the myth of the superiority of Western weapons” and that its forces gained the initiative along the 1,000km (600-mile) battlefront.
“The Kiev regime has failed to achieve the goals of its counteroffensive prepared by NATO instructors,” Shoigu stated.
“Russian defense enterprises have boosted their production capacities several times over. They have considerably increased the combat capabilities of our Armed Forces. This is evidenced by the situation in the special military operation area.”
Sergei Shoigu
He referenced the fact that the US is poised to supply Ukraine with a new military aid package.
The US Senate is set to vote on a major aid package that includes $61bn for Ukraine. Its passage is all but certain after the House of Representatives approved the assistance at the weekend with broad bipartisan support.
“In proportion to the threats posed by the United States and its allies, we will continue to improve the composition and structure of the armed forces and increase the production of the most popular weapons and military equipment,” Shoigu said.
“We will increase the intensity of attacks on logistics centres and storage bases for Western weapons.”
The Russian Defense Chief divulged that this year, the Russian air defense troops will receive the first S-500 air defense systems in two modifications, long-range surface-to-air missile systems and anti-ballistic missile defense complexes, S-400, S-300V4, Buk-M3 and Tor-M2U surface-to-air missile complexes and next-generation radars
“Outfitting air defense and anti-ballistic missile defense troops with advanced armament is a priority task in developing the Aerospace Forces. As of today, the share of modern weapons stands at 82% and it is necessary to increase this figure to 85% in the next two years,” Shoigu said.
He noted that Pantsyr surface-to-air missile/artillery systems have proven their worth on the battlefield and there are plans to almost double their deliveries to the troops.
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