UK weapons stockpile reduced to 'nothing': The Times
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Citing undisclosed sources, The Times reported that the supply of weapons to Ukraine has depleted UK stockpiles to "nothing."
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Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, left, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a press conference at a military facility, in Lulworth, Dorset, England, Wednesday, February 8, 2023. (AP)
The United Kingdom's arms stockpile is nearly emptied after almost two years of deliveries to Ukraine, according to The Times. The British newspaper added that the UK, along with other Western nations is ramping up arms production ahead of the 2024 US presidential election.
Having spent more than £4.6 billion ($5.7 billion) on providing military supply to Kiev since February 2022, London was warned in July by NATO's deputy supreme allied commander for Europe, Gen. Tim Radford that it was at risk of jeopardizing its standing within the US-led bloc, citing issues such as personnel shortages among the contributing factors.
According to an unidentified Ukrainian military source cited by The Times, Britain was reported to have exhausted its available weaponry for donation, yet the anonymous official acknowledged that London continued to play a pivotal role in influencing other nations to send arms to Kiev.
Securing the prolonging of war
The newspaper, referencing an unnamed source from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's office, reported that Britain, along with several other Western European countries, is actively working to ensure that Ukraine has sufficient military supplies as a contingency in case a new US administration decides to withhold or significantly reduce defense aid.
Reportedly, Britain and other Western nations are aiming to prolong the war into 2025 and potentially beyond, intending to strain Russia's resources and eventually compel it to relent, as per the provided source.
Read next: New aid vows to Kiev hits lowest as focus shifts to 'Israel': Study
According to The Times, there is an assertion that an increasing number of Ukrainians are growing weary of the war, and the notion of securing a truce with Russia appears to be gaining traction among the population.
The paper suggested that this sentiment is partly fueled by political impasses in the US and the EU, which have left a substantial amount of aid for Kiev in a state of uncertainty.
200 air defense missiles to Ukraine
Only a few days ago, UK Defence Minister Grant Shapps stated that Britain would deliver roughly 200 air-defense missiles to Ukraine.
Shapps posted on X that the UK was "moving rapidly to bolster Ukraine's air defense," explaining that this was done to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself from Putin's barbaric bombardment."
The UK is moving rapidly to bolster Ukraine’s air defence, in the wake of Putin’s murderous air strikes.
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) December 29, 2023
Hundreds of British made air defence missiles are being sent to ensure @Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself from Putin’s barbaric bombardment. #SlavaUkraini pic.twitter.com/eoJ1pQPpe7
The missiles would replenish Britain's air defense systems, which are "capable" of shooting down Russian drones and missiles "with incredible accuracy," according to the Ministry of Defense.
UK has 'run dry' on weapons
Earlier in October last year, The Telegraph reported that the United Kingdom had been depleted of weapons to send to Ukraine, citing an unnamed senior British military.
The senior official told the newspaper that the UK should not be obligated to send billions worth of military aid to Kiev, responding to a previous unanswered request of the former Minister of Defense, Ben Wallace.
"Giving billions more doesn’t mean giving billions of British kit," the official told The Telegraph, adding that the UK has played a role in persuading other NATO and its allies "to give more money and weapons" to Ukraine.
Read next: UK to run out of financial support for Ukraine by end of 2022: Reports
