U.K. Uses Seized Russian Assets to Fund £1B Military Aid for Ukraine

The U.K. has channelled money from immobilised Russian assets into more than £1 billion worth of weapons and military support for Ukraine, Defence Secretary John Healey announced during a visit to Kyiv.

The funds have been used to deliver 4.7 million rounds of small arms ammunition, air defence missiles, more than 2,500 drones, over 200 electronic warfare systems, 100 light weapons, vehicles, and 60,000 artillery shells, rockets and missiles.

Healey added that this package, accelerated over the last 50 days, is part of a drive to put Ukraine in a stronger position against Russia.

While in Kyiv, Healey co-chaired a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing with representatives from over 30 countries. The discussions focused on the readiness of British forces for potential deployment once the war ends, and on the future make-up of a multinational force capable of strengthening security across air, sea, and land. The announcement came ahead of talks in Paris where members of the coalition are expected to debate possible security guarantees, including reassurance forces for Ukraine in the event of a truce.

During his trip, the Defence Secretary also visited the ruins of a British Council building in Kyiv destroyed by Russian strikes, underlining the wider civilian and cultural cost of the war. According to the U.K. government, Britain has invested £4.5 billion in military support for Ukraine this year.