- Ben Wallace said that Britain will send an unspecified number of M270 launchers
- They can fire rockets up to 50 miles - a longer range than any currently in use
- Ukrainian troops will be trained in the UK to use the equipment, Wallace said
- US announced it would supply High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems to Ukraine
Britain will send long-range missile systems to Ukraine to help fend off the Russian invasion, defying warnings from Vladimir Putin against supplying Kyiv with the advanced weapons.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Britain will send an unspecified number of M270 launchers, which can fire precision-guided rockets up to 50 miles - a longer range than any missile technology currently in use in the war.
'The UK stands with Ukraine in this fight and is taking a leading role in supplying its heroic troops with the vital weapons they need to defend their country from unprovoked invasion,' Mr Wallace said in a statement from the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
'If the international community continues its support, I believe Ukraine can win. As Russia's tactics change, so must our support to Ukraine.
The M270 launchers (pictured), which can strike targets up to 50 miles away with precision-guided rockets, will 'offer a significant boost in capability for the Ukrainian forces'
'These highly capable multiple-launch rocket systems will enable our Ukrainian friends to better protect themselves against the brutal use of long-range artillery, which Putin's forces have used indiscriminately to flatten cities.'
Ukrainian troops will be trained in the UK to use the equipment, he added.
The MoD said the decision to provide the launchers was closely co-ordinated with the US government, which said that it would supply High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems to Ukraine.
When the US announced it would be sending the missiles, Russian president Vladimir Putin vowed to hit new targets.
'If they are delivered, we will draw appropriate conclusions from this and use our weapons, which we have enough of, to strike at those objects that we have not yet hit,' he said in an interview with state TV channel Russia-1, which was filmed on Friday.
Kyiv's residents awoke on Sunday to the first Russian strikes on the capital since April 28, while Moscow's forces have also maintained steady pressure via artillery and air strikes in the eastern Donbas region.
A view of damaged Wagon Repair Factory after shelling amid Russian attacks in Darnyts'kyi district of Kyiv, Ukraine
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace insisted Ukraine's Western allies must maintain their weapons deliveries to enable it to 'win'
Meanwhile, the UK announced a specialist legal and police team will be offered to assist the chief prosecutor investigating alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab on Monday will present a second package of support for the independent investigation, on top of the £1 million funding provided by the UK Government earlier this year.
The offer will include a dedicated Metropolitan Police officer stationed in The Hague, providing the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its prosecutor Karim Khan with swift access to further British police and military expertise.
It comes after Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Friday reaffirmed Britain's support for Ukraine, warning Russia's 'unjustified and illegal' invasion threatened world peace and economic stability.
Putin warned that Moscow will strike new unspecified 'targets' if the West supplies the missiles to Ukraine and said new arms deliveries to Kyiv were aimed at 'prolonging the conflict'
In a statement marking the 100th day of the war, Ms Truss said the UK remained determined that Mr Putin's offensive should not succeed.
'He expected the invasion to be over in days, but significantly underestimated the resolve of brave Ukrainians, who have valiantly defended their country,' she said.
'Putin's invasion has brought death and destruction on a scale not seen in Europe since World War II. This war has huge ramifications for global peace, prosperity and food security. It matters to us all.
'Today is a moment to pay our respects to the thousands of innocent civilians murdered since the invasion, and reaffirm our steadfast support for Ukraine's heroic defence, to ensure they succeed and Putin fails.'
Biden officially announced a new $700 million security package for the Ukraine on Wednesday amid Russian warnings he was 'adding fuel to the fire' by including medium-range rocket systems.
'This new package will arm them with new capabilities and advanced weaponry, including HIMARS with battlefield munitions, to defend their territory from Russian advances,' Biden said in a statement.
Biden officially announced a new $700 million security package for the Ukraine on Wednesday
The lateset round of military aid comes as the Pentagon snapped back at the flak from the Kremlin, saying Russia didn't get to vote on U.S. assistance and describing Moscow's invasion as 'off plan.'
Besides the missile system, the assistance also includes helicopters, Javelin anti-tank weapon systems, tactical vehicles, and more. Ukraine has promised the United States it will not fire the weapons into Russian territory.
But the Kremlin fired back, accusing Washington of provocative behavior.
'We believe that the United States is purposefully and diligently adding fuel to the fire,' spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
When asked how Russia would respond if Ukraine used U.S.-supplied rockets to strike Russian territory, Peskov replied: 'Let's not talk about worst-case scenarios.'
He said Moscow didn't trust Ukrainian reassurance the weapons would not reach Russian soil.
The United States is sending four HIMARS missile systems to Ukraine in the latest round of military aid
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl said Russia is 'far off plan' in its invasion, which began a little more than three months ago
It comes as Putin was hit by the death of Russia’s 11th general in his bloody war with Ukraine.
Major-General Roman Kutuzov was the chief of staff of the 29th Combined Arms Army, according to reports.
His vehicle was ambushed by Ukrainians and he died in a fight in Donbas, say sources.
His death is the 11th general, but the first such high ranking army officer in more than a month.
In addition, at least 49 colonels have been killed in the war with Ukraine.
Major-General Roman Kutuzov (pictured) was the chief of staff of the 29th Combined Arms Army, according to reports
Ukraine today issued a picture claiming to be Major-General Roman Kutuzov but there was no immediate confirmation
The latest was Lt-Col Zaur Dimayev, deputy commander of the 4th battalion of the Akhmat Kadyrov special forces regiment.
He was a close associate of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
In 2020, Kutuzov was head of the headquarters of the combined arms formation of Russia’s sprawling Eastern Military District.
The previous general to be killed was Kanamat ’Flop Gun’ Botashev, 63.
His vehicle was ambushed by Ukrainians and he died in a fight in Donbas, say sources (Pictured: Vladimir Putin speaks during his interview with the Russia-1 TV channel)
He was a 'pensioner pilot' who was hit in his Su-25 after coming out of retirement to fly in Putin’s forces.
He was reportedly shot down by a Ukrainian Stinger missile.
There have been unconfirmed claims that Western countries are assisting Ukraine to target high-ranking Russian officers.
Russian sources say Kutuzov was killed in the area of Nikolaevka settlement, in the Popasnyansky district of the Luhansk People’s Republic, close to the frontline.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10887653/Britain-send-long-range-missile-systems-help-Ukraine-fend-Russian-invasion.html
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