Boris Johnson pushing to arm Ukraine with anti-ship missiles
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The plan is part of a supposed "gear change" in the Western approach to arm Ukraine against Russia.
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According to the Sunday Times, Johnson plans on sending weapons to defend Odesa
According to The Sunday Times, in an attempted "gear change" in the Western approach, the UK wants to arm Ukraine with anti-ship missiles to target Russian ships.
Boris Johnson has informed ministers that he wants to deliver the weaponry to stop the Russians from moving in on Odessa, just as British anti-tank missiles have been deployed to thwart President Putin's alleged attempts to seize Kiev.
According to a government source, “We anticipated this mass column of tanks coming across what is a very flat expanse of landscape and that Kyiv would be taken in three days. The NLAWs [next-generation light anti-tank weapons] stopped that."
According to another source, Ukraine has been asking for lethal aid on the Black Sea, and the UK has "a list of what they require and we try and meet it where we can. The PM is committed to helping Ukraine defend itself and he will support that need.”
Unlike other allies who have been prudent in sending additional aid until a provocation comes from Russia, Johnson disagrees. According to a senior government source, "Boris says we don't need another trigger... He [Putin] has already crossed the line ... Whatever Zelensky asks for he will get if we have it.”
On Sunday morning, Russian jets and warships attacked an oil refinery and fuel storage facility in the Ukrainian port of Odessa, according to a Defense Ministry official.
The UK recently announced that it was preparing to send an additional 6,000 anti-tank missiles, bringing the total number of British weapons to 10,000.
Johnson intends to provide Ukraine with “more lethal” weapons
Days ago, The Times cited a UK government source saying Johnson told his cabinet about the intention to supply Ukraine with "more lethal" weapons.
Admiral Tony Radakin, the chief of the Defense Staff, was quoted as saying that London was moving toward a “new phase” of its support for Kiev.
Although the newspaper mentioned that Johnson did not name the weapons that he intends to provide, a defense source pointed out that Ukraine needs “longer-range deep fires,” including heavy artillery.
According to The Times, Johnson was impressed with Ukraine's use of the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 attack drones and was “keen for the US to provide Ukraine with anti-ship missiles and more advanced air defense systems.”
