Boris Johnson guarantees extra navy help in name to Volodymyr Zelensky

Boris Johnson has promised to supply extra navy help to Ukraine as President Volodymyr Zelensky instructed him what was wanted to defend his nation towards Russian forces.

In a name on Saturday afternoon, the Prime Minister provided Mr Zelensky the UK’s “continued financial and humanitarian assist”, a Downing Avenue spokesperson mentioned.

Mr Johnson is alleged to have instructed the Ukrainian President that he’s “extra dedicated than ever to reinforcing Ukraine and making certain Putin fails”.

Britain is likely one of the largest suppliers in Europe of arms to Ukraine, having already despatched greater than 5,000 anti-tank missiles, 1,360 anti-structure munitions, 5 air defence programs with greater than 100 missiles, and 4.5 tonnes of plastic explosives, in response to the Ministry of Defence.

Ukrainian forces have additionally been utilizing Starstreak high-velocity and low-velocity anti-air missiles equipped by the UK.

Following the decision between Mr Johnson and Mr Zelensky, a Downing Avenue spokesperson mentioned: “The Prime Minister spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at present, as a part of their common dialogue.

“President Zelensky up to date on the fierce preventing in Japanese Ukraine and ongoing siege of Mariupol. He set out the gear wanted for the defence of Ukraine.

“The Prime Minister reiterated that he’s extra dedicated than ever to reinforcing Ukraine and making certain Putin fails, noting how arduous the Ukrainians are preventing for his or her freedom.

“He confirmed that the UK will proceed to supply extra navy help to provide the Ukrainians the gear they wanted to defend themselves.

“The leaders additionally mentioned progress of the UN-led effort to evacuate Mariupol and concern for the injured there. The Prime Minister provided the UK’s continued financial and humanitarian assist.

“The Prime Minister and President Zelensky agreed to stay in shut contact on subsequent steps, in coordination with worldwide allies and companions.”

President Zelensky tweeted: “I keep up a correspondence with @BorisJohnson. Spoke in regards to the scenario on the battlefield and within the blocked Mariupol.

“Mentioned defensive assist for Ukraine and the mandatory diplomatic efforts to realize peace.”

Later, Mr Johnson tweeted: “I spoke to President @ZelenskyyUa earlier to set out how the UK will proceed to supply navy and humanitarian help to provide Ukrainians the gear they should defend themselves.

“I’m extra dedicated than ever to reinforcing Ukraine and making certain Putin fails.”

In the meantime, the Overseas Workplace is investigating studies {that a} British nationwide has been detained by Russia after a video emerged exhibiting a person in camouflage garments being questioned.

Within the video, reportedly proven on Russian tv, the person seems to provide his identify as Andrew Hill.

He speaks with an English accent, has his arm in a sling, a bandage round his head, and blood may be seen on his hand.

The video, which has not been verified, has been shared on-line.

The Overseas, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace (FCDO) is investigating the studies and likewise supporting members of the family.

The FCDO condemns the exploitation of prisoners of battle for political functions and requires anybody detained to be handled humanely in accordance with the necessities of worldwide humanitarian legislation.

Two different British males, mentioned to be working as humanitarian help volunteers, are additionally believed to have been detained in Ukraine by Russian forces.

The Presidium Community, a non-profit group, mentioned mentioned Paul Urey and Dylan Healey have been captured early on Monday morning at a checkpoint south of the town of Zaporizhzhia in south-eastern Ukraine.

Mr Urey, who was born in 1977 and is from Manchester, and Mr Healey, born in 2000 and from Cambridgeshire, travelled to Ukraine of their very own accord, the organisation mentioned.

They weren’t working for the Presidium Community, which helps to get help into Kyiv.

The organisation mentioned the pair have been driving to assist a girl and two youngsters to evacuate once they went lacking.

Presidium Community mentioned it’s involved Russian forces might imagine the 2 males are British spies.

The Overseas Workplace mentioned it was urgently in search of extra data following studies of British nationals being detained in Ukraine.

In an intelligence replace on Saturday morning, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) within the UK mentioned Russia faces “appreciable challenges” and troops are prone to be affected by “weakened morale”.

Posting on Twitter, the MoD mentioned: “Russia hopes to rectify points which have beforehand constrained its invasion by geographically concentrating fight energy, shortening provide strains and simplifying command and management.

“Russia nonetheless faces appreciable challenges. It has been pressured to merge and redeploy depleted and disparate models from the failed advances in north-east Ukraine.

“Many of those models are seemingly affected by weakened morale.

“Shortcomings in Russian tactical co-ordination stay. A scarcity of unit-level expertise and inconsistent air assist have left Russia unable to completely leverage its fight mass, regardless of localised enhancements.”