By Emily Caulkett-
The UK is increasing its supply of weapons to Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russian attack, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has confirmed.
Putin last week said he regards the supply of weapons to Ukraine as a declaration of war against Russia, but the UK is among 14 other countries supporting Ukranians against the unprovoked attack against Ukrainians.
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– The Kremlin accused the West of declaring an economic war on Russia that was affecting energy markets, and put Washington on notice it was considering its response to a ban on Russian oil and energy.
Russia’s economy is facing its most serious crisis since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union after the West imposed heavy sanctions on almost the entire Russian financial and corporate system following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cast the West’s sanctions as a hostile act that had roiled global markets and he said it was unclear how far turbulence on global energy markets would go.
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– The Kremlin accused the United States on Wednesday of declaring an economic war on Russia that was sowing mayhem through energy markets, and put Washington on notice it was considering its response to a ban on Russian oil and energy.
Russia’s economy is facing the gravest crisis since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union after the West imposed heavy sanctions on almost the entire Russian financial and corporate system following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cast the West’s sanctions as a hostile act that had roiled global markets and he said it was unclear how far turbulence on global energy markets would go.
Mr Wallace said the UK had already delivered 3,615 anti-tank weapons – known as NLAWs – to Ukraine, and will shortly be supplying a “small consignment” of Javelin anti-tank missiles.
Defence Secretary Wallace said “in response to a Ukrainian request, that the government has taken the decision to explore the donation of Starstreak high-velocity manned portable anti-air missiles.
“We believe that this system will remain within the definition of defensive weapons but will allow the Ukrainian force to better defend their skies.”
NLAWs – made by the Swedish company Saab – have a range of up to 600 metres, it is a portable, shoulder-mounted missile system weighing just 12.5 kilograms.
The British Army says the missile can destroy any main battle tank in just one shot by striking it from above.
The Starstreak weapon being considered is a short-range man-portable anti-aircraft defence system.
It travels at more than three times the speed of sound, according to the British Army, it can be shoulder-mounted or attached to a vehicle.
The increased supply is in response to pleas from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who urged MPs in a Commons address on Tuesday to protect Ukrainian skies.
“Please make sure that our Ukrainian skies are safe,” he said, “Please make sure that you do what needs to be done and what is stipulated by the greatness of your country.” Wallace stressed the UK government was “bound by the decision to supply defensive systems”.
A total of 14 nations have supplied arms, including Sweden and Finland, which both have a long history of neutrality and are not Nato members. They have both sent thousands of anti-tank weapons.
Mr Wallace said the Ministry of Defence (MoD) believes Starstreak missiles would count as defensive weapons.
“In response to a Ukrainian request, the Government has taken the decision to explore the donation of Starstreak high-velocity manned portable anti-air missiles,” he said.
“We believe that this system will remain within the definition of defensive weapons but will allow the Ukrainian force to better defend their skies.
“We shall also be increasing the supplies of rations, medical equipment and other non-lethal military aid.”
The Defence Secretary added that the UK has also increased its supply of anti-tank weapons (NLAWs) from 2,000 to 3,615 in response to “further acts of aggression by Russia”.
Germany has supplied 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 US-made Stinger missiles, a scourge of Soviet aircraft during its occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s.
The Baltic states have also delivered thousands of weapons including Stingers and Javelin missiles, one of the world’s most effective anti-tank weapons with a range of 2.5km (1.5 miles).
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