NATO members have announced to provide Ukraine with deliveries of advanced air defence weapons after Russia recently renewed aerial attacks across Ukraine
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) members have announced to provide Ukraine with deliveries of advanced air defence weapons after Russia recently renewed aerial attacks across Ukraine.
This comes after the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the leaders of Group of Seven (G7) nations in a meeting to help Ukraine with air defence systems.
The weaponry promised by the United Kingdom (U.K.), Canada, France and the Netherlands includes missiles and radars. The President of United States (U.S.) – Joe Biden promised to provide Ukraine with advanced air systems to help it defend itself.
Russia has attacked Ukraine with more than 100 missiles since Monday, i.e., October 10, 2022. They have been hitting energy infrastructure and other non-military targets. At least 19 people were killed on the first day of the strikes, which included hitting central Kyiv. Russia said that the aerial attack was a retaliation for an explosion caused on the bridge connecting Russia and Crimean Peninsula. Russia used that bridge for bringing ammunition to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the U.K. will donate air defence missiles, as well as hundreds of aerial drones to support Ukraine’s information gathering and logistics capabilities. It will also provide 18 howitzer artillery guns in addition to the 64 already delivered.
Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Secretary of U.K. – Ben Wallace said, “Russia’s latest indiscriminate strikes on civilian areas in Ukraine warrant further support to those seeking to defend their nation. These weapons will help Ukraine defend its skies from attacks and strengthen their overall missile defence.”
The President of France – Emmanuel Macron said he will provide Ukraine with systems which will protect the population from drones. Netherlands said it would deliver € 15 million (£13 million; U.S. $ 14.5 million) worth of air defence missiles. Canada will provide more than C$ 47 million (U.S. $ 34 million; £ 31 million) worth of military aid, including satellite communications and drone cameras.
Ukraine’s military has confirmed that the first of several state-of-the-art IRIS-T SLM has been delivered from Germany to Ukraine. It said the air defence system would help protect the country “against terror”.
President Zelensky has for months been asking Ukraine’s allies to provide air defence systems to create an “air shield” for Ukraine.
In a video message, Zelenskyy said, “The more audacious and cruel Russian terror becomes, the more obvious it is to the world that helping Ukraine to protect the sky is one of the most important humanitarian tasks for Europe of our time. I believe that we will cope with this task.”
Russia has repeatedly warned the West from providing weapons to Ukraine stating that it would mean direct confrontation with Russia.
