Published: 10:28, April 24, 2024
Zelensky: Ukraine to get largest-ever military aid package from UK
By Xinhua
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (right) and Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak give a press conference following their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Jan 12, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

KYIV/MOSCOW - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that Ukraine would soon get the largest-ever military aid package from Britain worth 500 million pounds ($619 million).

The package will contain Storm Shadow and other types of missiles, hundreds of armored vehicles and watercraft, and ammunition, he said on Telegram after a phone conversation with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Zelensky said they also discussed bilateral defense cooperation, focusing on maritime and long-range capabilities.

One of the leading donors to Ukraine, Britain has pledged almost 12 billion pounds in support to Ukraine since February 2022, of which 7.1 billion is for military assistance, according to the British parliament. 

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In this photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on April 17, 2024, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (foreground) visits an exhibition of the new scientific and technical developments in the logistics system of the Russian Armed Forces at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Center outside Moscow, Russia. (PHOTO / AP)

Also on Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the country will intensify attacks on logistics centers and storage facilities of Western weapons in Ukraine.

In proportion to the threats posed by the United States and its allies, Russia will continue to improve its military composition and produce more of the most in-demand weapons and military equipment, he said during the defense ministry's board meeting.

Noting NATO's increased activities in the Arctic and Russia's western and northwestern borders, Shoigu said Russia would take adequate response measures.

READ MORE: Ukraine, UK sign security agreement

He added that the recently re-established Moscow and Leningrad military districts have begun carrying out relevant tasks since March 1.