UK among 27 nations sending weapons, medical supplies, and military aid to Ukraine
Almost 200 Ukrainians, including three children, have been killed due to “Russian aggression”, reports suggested on Saturday.
The death toll, reported by the Reuters news agency, came as the battle reached the streets of Kyiv and residents were told to seek shelter and avoid going near windows or on balconies, as Russian troops try and claim the capital. They have also been instructed to make molotov cocktails to help fight off the invaders.
Some 1,115 people are said to be wounded, including 33 children, but it is unclear if this is only civilian casualties.
Earlier, the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, said 35 people, including two children, were injured in fighting in the capital overnight.
The news comes as 27 nations, including the UK, other European countries, and the US, agreed to give more weapons, medical supplies, and other military aid to Ukraine, Sky News reported. The development was later confirmed by UK Armed Forces Minister James Heappey on BBC’s Radio 4 programme.
The assistance, SKY reported, includes lethal aid, like ammunition, anti-tank weapons and anti-air weapons, and non-lethal aid such as medical supplies.
Speaking on the BBC’s Today programme, Heappey, praised the Ukraninian resistance, saying: “What stands in front of Ukraine is days and weeks of utter brutality but they are doing an amazing job.”
Heappey said that all the objectives Russia aimed to gain control of on the first day of its assault remain in Ukrainian hands.
However, Russia’s defence ministry has claimed it has now captured the city of Melitopol – in what Reuters described as the first significant population centre to be taken over since Moscow’s invasion began Thursday.
Melitopol is located near the key Ukrainian port of Mariupol, in Ukraine’s southern region of Zaporizhzhya.
Related links:
- UEFA in talks to end Gazprom sponsorship following Russian invasion of Ukraine
- ‘Heroic’ Ukrainian soldier blows himself up with bridge to stop Russian invaders
- F1 cancel this season’s Russian Grand Prix following Ukraine invasion
