A new day of escalation and fighting is witnessed on the Russian-Ukrainian fronts, Tuesday. The Russian army continues its efforts to gain more control over Ukrainian territories, while Kyiv seeks further logistical support from its allies. According to the latest developments, the Ukrainian Air Force announced today that its air defense systems destroyed 15 out of 16 attack drones launched by Russia. They added in a statement on the Telegram app that Russia also launched two short-range Iskander ballistic missiles targeting Ukraine, but did not provide more information about the fate of the missiles.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that air defense systems destroyed 4 "Alkha" missiles over the Belgorod region. The ministry's statement said, "At night, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack on targets within Russian territory using Alkha multiple rocket launchers was thwarted." According to the ministry, "Air defense systems shot down 4 missiles over the territory of Belgorod."
Additionally, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is visiting Poland on Tuesday, where he will announce an additional military aid package for Ukraine amounting to £500 million to help it counter the Russian advance, as announced by London on Monday evening. A statement from Downing Street indicated that Sunak will meet with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Warsaw to discuss particularly the Ukrainian issue and broader European security.
This visit comes at a time when Kyiv is urging its allies to increase military assistance, particularly through provision of the necessary ammunition to repel Russian attacks. After long and arduous negotiations, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on Saturday for a massive aid package for Kyiv worth $61 billion.
According to a statement from Downing Street, Sunak said that "defending Ukraine against Russia's brutal ambitions is vital for our security and for that of Europe as a whole." The British Prime Minister warned that if Putin "wins this aggressive war, he will not stop at the Polish border."
This new contribution from the United Kingdom, which is primarily one of the main countries providing aid to Ukraine, raises British military support for Kyiv to £3 billion for the 2024-2025 period, according to Downing Street. This aid will be used "to rapidly provide the ammunition" needed by Ukraine "urgently," in addition to drones that will be purchased from the United Kingdom, and technical support.
The equipment to be sent by the British Ministry of Defense to Ukraine is expected to help Kyiv "repel the Russian invasion on land, at sea, and in the air." This assistance includes 60 boats, over 1,600 missiles, particularly air defense missiles and Storm Shadow cruise missiles. The aid also includes nearly four million rounds of small-caliber ammunition. In his statement, Downing Street emphasized that Ukraine "faces an existential threat" as "Russia continues its brutal invasion, endangering the security and stability of all Europe."
The British Prime Minister is scheduled to then move to Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
