London, Apr 26 (PTI) New ambulances, fire engines, funding for health experts and life-saving medical supplies are being donated to Ukraine as part of the UK’s continued “steadfast solidarity” in the country’s ongoing conflict with Russia, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday.
According to Downing Street, there have been more than 130 attacks on healthcare facilities since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in February and the United Nations (UN) has recorded around 4,800 civilian casualties. More than 100 fire stations and 250 fire engines have also been destroyed in Ukraine.
“We have all been appalled by the abhorrent images of hospitals deliberately targeted by Russia since the invasion began over two months ago,” said Johnson.
“The new ambulances, fire engines and funding for health experts announced today will better equip the Ukrainian people to deliver vital health care and save lives. Together with our military support, we will help to strengthen Ukraine’s capability to make sure [Russian President] Putin’s brutal invasion fails,” he said.
On Monday, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace gave the House of Commons an update on the military aid provided to Ukraine, which to date has been provided more than 5,000 anti-tank missiles, five Air Defence systems with more than 100 missiles, 1,360 anti-structure munitions, and 4.5 tonnes of plastic explosives by the UK.
“And in response to indiscriminate bombing from the air, and escalations by President Putin’s forces, on March 9 I announced that the UK would supply Starstreak high velocity and low velocity anti-air missiles. I am able to now report to the House that these have been in-theatre for over three weeks and they have been deployed and used by Ukrainian forces to defend themselves and their territory,” he told Parliament.
The minister confirmed a further “gift” of a small number of armoured vehicles fitted with launchers for anti-air missiles, or Stormer vehicles, which will give Ukraine forces enhanced short range anti-air capabilities day and night.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the NATO military alliance, of which the UK is a member, of engaging in a proxy war and said weapons delivered by the West to Ukraine would be fair targets. The UK has maintained that it is “perfectly legitimate” for Ukraine to use weapons against Russian military targets given the attacks it is facing.
Meanwhile, new trade measures have also been put in place by the UK Department for International Trade (DIT), which said all tariffs on goods imported from Ukraine will now be reduced to zero and all quotas will be removed under the free trade agreement, providing Ukraine economic support in their “hour of need”.
“We stand unwaveringly with Ukraine in this ongoing fight and will work to ensure Ukraine survives and thrives as a free and sovereign nation,” said Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan.
The move follows a direct request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government to liberalise tariffs and support the Ukrainian economy. It is expected that removing tariffs on key Ukrainian exports including barley, honey, tinned tomatoes and poultry will help Ukrainian businesses and producers.
“The Kremlin continues to lie about deliberate attacks on Ukraine’s hospitals and the indiscriminate targeting of civilians. Now our vital humanitarian support will help save lives and deliver medical expertise to the frontline,” added UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
Frontline medical aid charity, UK-Med, will receive funding – worth up to 300,000 pounds – from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to help train Ukrainian doctors, nurses and paramedics on how to deal with mass casualties.
They will also set up mobile health clinics to support the most vulnerable civilians remaining in Ukraine, including the elderly and young children.
The UK is also donating 300,000 pounds worth of medicines and pharmaceutical supplies to UK-Med which could support a hospital for up to six weeks. PTI AK MRJ MRJ
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