The UK has pledged to invest almost 拢250 million in producing artillery shells for Ukraine on the second anniversary of Russia鈥檚 full-scale invasion of the country.
Artillery has been a key factor in Ukraine鈥檚 resistance to the invasion, and the 拢245 million package announced on Saturday is intended to replenish Kyiv鈥檚 reserves of artillery ammunition.
Making the announcement on Saturday, the second anniversary of the start of the conflict, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said Ukraine鈥檚 鈥渟teadfast determination and resilience鈥 continued to 鈥渋nspire the world鈥.
He said: 鈥淎gainst all odds, the armed forces of Ukraine have pushed back the Russian invaders to recapture half of the land Putin stole, while significantly degrading Russia鈥檚 capabilities 鈥 with around 30% of Russia鈥檚 Black Sea Fleet destroyed or damaged, and thousands of tanks and armoured vehicles reduced to scrap.
鈥淏ut they cannot win this fight without the support of the international community 鈥 and that鈥檚 why we continue to do what it takes to ensure Ukraine can continue to fight towards victory.
鈥淭ogether, we will ensure Putin fails, and a victory for democracy, the rules-based international order, and the Ukrainian people.鈥
Saturday鈥檚 announcement follows confirmation on Thursday that the UK had delivered a further 200 Brimstone anti-tank missiles to Ukraine.
Other military equipment provided by the UK includes Challenger 2 tanks and long-range Storm Shadow missiles, while British forces have given training to Ukrainian soldiers in the UK and the Government continues to provide humanitarian assistance.
Marking the second anniversary of the conflict, Rishi Sunak said it was 鈥渢he moment to show that tyranny will never triumph and to say once again that we will stand with Ukraine today and tomorrow鈥.
He said: 鈥淚 was in Kyiv just a few weeks ago and I met wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Each harrowing story was a reminder of Ukraine鈥檚 courage in the face of terrible suffering.
鈥淚t was a reminder of the price they are paying not only to defend their country against a completely unjustified invasion, but also to defend the very principles of freedom, sovereignty and the rule of law, on which we all depend.
鈥淭he UK is going further in our support. I announced last month the biggest single package of defence aid to Ukraine, taking our total support to 拢12 billion and signed a ten-year agreement on security co-operation 鈥 the first of its kind.鈥
He said: 鈥淲hen I met President Zelensky in Kyiv one year ago, I assured him that Britain stands united with Ukraine.
鈥淭hat promise stands firm. No matter who is in power in this country, Britain will always back Ukraine.
鈥淲e will stand with them for as long as it takes to win, because we know it is not just the future of Ukraine at stake, but the future of democracy and global stability. We cannot and will not allow the cowardice and barbarity of Putin to prevail.鈥
Republicans in the US Congress have sought to block military aid to Ukraine as part of a partisan battle over immigration, leading Volodymyr Zelensky to warn that Russia was exploiting delays in aid to his country.
Mr Zelensky specifically mentioned artillery shortages as a major problem, which the UK package announced on Saturday is intended to help tackle.
On Saturday, the head of the British armed forces, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, praised Ukraine鈥檚 鈥渆xtraordinary feats of operational and strategic success鈥 and urged Kyiv鈥檚 allies to remain united.
He said: 鈥淚f we maintain the unity and cohesion we鈥檝e seen to date, and keep strongly supporting our brave Ukrainian partners 鈥 militarily, economically and diplomatically 鈥 Russia will continue to fail and Ukraine will build the foundations to flourish as a strong, prosperous and sovereign nation.鈥