Russia-Ukraine conflict: UK to provide additional anti-tank weapons to Ukraine

Ukraine has made gains in its defense against Russia as the war continues. The United Kingdom has pledged to send additional anti-tank weapons to help Ukrainian forces.

The United Kingdom’s defense secretary Ben Wallace said Thursday that the country would provide Ukraine with additional artillery guns as well as over 1,600 anti-tank weapons in the West’s latest supply of arms.

This follows Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s pledge last month to provide £1 billion of military assistance, bringing the total to £2.3 billion.

“Together with our international partners, we will ensure Ukraine has the tools to defend their country from Putin’s illegal invasion,” said Wallace in a statement.

Wallace also said the UK would also send counter-battery radar systems, hundreds of drones, and over 50,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine.

The UK has already supplied Ukraine with nearly 7,000 anti-tank weapons, hundreds of missiles and armored fighting vehicles, and training for Ukrainian troops.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hit back against what he said was disinformation by Russian hackers regarding his health. Zelenskyy shared a video on Instagram in his office, assuring Ukrainians that he is okay.

At the time of Zelenskyy’s response, the Kremlin also dismissed speculation that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin was unwell.

“Today, Russia launched more fake news that the state is not controlled by President Zelenskyy as he is in hospital, or rather, in intensive care because of a ‘serious health condition,’” said the Ukrainian leader, who also took a swipe at Putin, saying he is not as old as the Russian leader.

Zelenskyy’s wife, first lady Olena Zelenska, also appealed to US lawmakers during her address to Congress Tuesday to provide more help to her country, saying that providing more weapons would lead to a “joint” victory in the war.

During her address, Zelenska also showed videos of children she said were wounded or killed in the invasion, including a three-year-old boy who is now in Germany and learning to use prosthetic limbs.

The United States has already provided $8 billion in assistance to Ukraine, including the $2.2 billion in June. Lawmakers responded, saying that they are ready to provide more aid.