In the past 50 days, the United Kingdom has provided over $1.3 billion worth of weapons and munitions to Ukraine by using money raised from frozen Russian assets.
Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, forced the United Kingdom and dozens of other countries to freeze Russian assets around the world. For several months, these assets sat there without providing any relief to Ukraine. However, countries are now using these frozen assets to fund Ukraine’s defense effort.
Britain Just Offered Ukraine Another “Russian-Backed” Loan
Fighting in Ukraine continues with no respite, while negotiations between the combatants continue. In the meantime, Kyiv’s NATO allies are working hard to provide the Ukrainian forces with the necessary tools to fight back against the Russian offensives.
In the past 50 days, the United Kingdom has provided the Ukrainian military with approximately 4.7 million rounds of small arms ammunition, 60,000 artillery rounds, rockets, and missiles, more than 2,500 unmanned aerial systems, over 200 electronic warfare systems, 100 light weapons, 30 tactical vehicles, and counter-drone and air defense equipment.
“The UK is stepping up our military support to help Ukraine defend itself in today’s fight against Putin’s illegal invasion, while working hard to secure peace tomorrow through the Coalition of the Willing,” British Defence Secretary John Healy said in a statement.
The “Coalition of the Willing” is an unofficial group of countries that are committed to helping Ukraine against Russian aggression with arms and other support. Britain and France are leading the effort, with dozens of countries from around the world joining in.
“More than £1 billion of military support for Ukraine has now been paid for by immobilised Russian assets, while we have accelerated deliveries of vital kit and equipment over the last 50 days into the hands of Ukrainian warfighters,” the British Secretary of Defence added.
The UK Has Become a Vital Security Partner for Ukraine
Thus far, the UK has provided Ukraine with a $3 billion (£2.26 billion) loan through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration fund. This program uses the interest from Russian assets in Western banks—rather than the assets themselves—to back the loan, leaving the original assets intact. Though many in the West have argued that the original assets themselves should be confiscated, giving Ukraine access to a far larger pool of money, doing so is legally tenuous in a way that seizing interest proceeds is not.
The UK plans to provide Ukraine with over $6 billion in weapon systems and munitions in 2025. The United States remains the single-largest supporter of Ukraine with over $66.9 billion in military assistance since the invasion.
“We are also deepening and expanding our cooperation with defence industry and learning valuable lessons from the battlefield. On my fifth visit to Ukraine, it was an honour to meet Minister Shmyhal to stress our continued unity for Ukraine – both from the UK and across the Coalition of the Willing,” Healy added.
The UK has been playing a leading role in the international coalition supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion. In the first crucial days of the war, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson worked hard to rally European and US sentiment in support of Ukraine. Subsequent British governments have maintained the same policy line, even if that has occasionally put them at odds with the US.
At a point in time when support for Ukraine has flagged in many Western nations, and the United States has contemplated cutting off aid altogether, the United Kingdom continues to stand fast by the Ukrainian people.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Shutterstock / Mehaniq.
