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Britain Speeds Up Air Defense and Anti-Drone Support for Ukraine Following Russian Strikes
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
British Defense Secretary John Healey has ordered the acceleration of air defense deliveries to Ukraine following Russia’s latest large-scale drone attacks, he said in a statement published on X.
Healey described the recent Russian strikes over the past 24 hours as “shocking” and said the United Kingdom would speed up the transfer of both air defense systems and counter-drone capabilities to support Ukraine.
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“I’ve directed for UK deliveries of air defense and counter-drone systems to be accelerated as fast as possible,” Healey wrote.
He also reaffirmed Britain’s support for Kyiv amid continued Russian attacks.
“We stand with Ukraine in the face of Putin’s aggression. Our thoughts are with Ukrainian families,” the British defense chief added.
During the night of May 14, Russia carried out a large-scale missile and drone assault on Kyiv and the surrounding region, striking multiple districts and causing widespread damage to residential and commercial infrastructure.
According to Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko, both falling debris and direct strikes were recorded across the capital as air defense systems responded to what authorities described as a massive attack.
The death toll in Kyiv later rose to five, while the number of injured increased to 44, according to the Head of the Kyiv City Military Administration Tymur Tkachenko and city officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia had launched more than 1,560 drones since midnight.
Ukraine’s air defenses reported intercepting 41 missiles and 652 drones during the attack. According to the General Staff, Ukrainian forces neutralized all three Kh-47 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, 12 out of 18 Iskander-M/S-400 ballistic missiles, and 29 of 35 Kh-101 cruise missiles.
Out of a total of 675 attack drones launched by Russia, 652 were either shot down or suppressed through electronic warfare measures.
Earlier, Russian drones struck critical infrastructure throughout various districts in the Zakarpattia region. Myroslav Biletskyi, head of the Regional Military Administration, reported that 11 UAVs, including Shahed and Geran types, entered the region’s airspace during the assault.
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