Britain is poised to deliver a significant boost to Ukraine's military capabilities with the provision of new, powerful long-range ballistic missiles. The weapons, known as 'Nightfall', can strike targets more than 300 miles away, putting Russian positions deep behind the front lines within reach.
New Missile System to 'Put Leading Edge Weapons' in Ukrainian Hands
Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed the move during a visit to Kyiv, stating the UK is determined to "put leading edge weapons into the hands of Ukrainians as they fight back." The announcement came just moments after he narrowly avoided a Russian missile and drone attack that killed four people in the Ukrainian capital.
Describing the incident, Mr Healey said the train he was travelling on was forced to make an emergency stop. "It was a serious moment and a stark reminder of the barrage of drones and missiles hitting Ukrainians in sub-zero conditions," he told The Sun.
The Ministry of Defence is now seeking British firms to design, develop and deliver the first three test missiles under a contract worth £9 million. The 'Nightfall' rockets are reported to be packed with 200kg warheads, can be fired in quick succession, and have a potential range that extends as far as Moscow.
£200 Million for UK Troop Preparations and New Drone Production
Alongside the missile project, the Defence Secretary revealed the UK will spend £200 million preparing British troops for potential deployment to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. The funding will pay for upgrades to vehicles, communications systems, and counter-drone protection.
Mr Healey linked the investment directly to UK security, stating: "We are surging investment into our preparations... ensuring that Britain's armed forces are ready to deploy, and lead, the Multinational Force Ukraine, because a secure Ukraine means a secure UK."
In a further development, production will start this month on new 'Octopus' drones for Ukraine. These are designed to intercept the Russian drones used to attack civilian targets. The UK aims to produce thousands per month, with each Octopus costing just 10% of the drones it is designed to counter.
Context of Escalating Russian Strikes
The announcement follows a series of severe Russian attacks. On Thursday night, Russia launched a huge wave of over 200 drones and 20 missiles against Ukrainian civilian and energy infrastructure.
This included the experimental use of a hypersonic 'Oreshnik' intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) against Lviv, fired from approximately 1,000 miles away within Russian territory. Defence Intelligence assesses Moscow likely has only a 'handful' of these costly Oreshnik missiles, and its use was 'almost certainly intended as strategic messaging'.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for the UK's continued support, emphasising the need for a clear allied response to any future Russian aggression. The UK's commitments underscore a deepening involvement in bolstering Ukraine's defence as the conflict continues.
