Fact Check: UK to send 350 advanced missiles to Ukraine using £70m from frozen Russian assets
What We Know
The UK government has announced plans to send 350 advanced air defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by £70 million generated from interest on frozen Russian assets. This initiative is part of a broader military aid package that totals £4.5 billion for Ukraine in the current year, marking the UK's largest annual commitment to Ukraine's defense to date (UK Government, Politico, Novaya Gazeta). The missiles in question are ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile), which have been adapted for ground launch from vehicles provided by the UK (UK Government).
Analysis
The claim that the UK will send 350 missiles to Ukraine using £70 million from frozen Russian assets is supported by multiple credible sources. The UK government has officially confirmed this initiative, highlighting the strategic importance of bolstering Ukraine's air defense against ongoing Russian attacks (UK Government).
Additionally, Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, emphasized that the funding comes from interest accrued on seized Russian assets, aligning with the government's strategy to utilize these funds for military support to Ukraine (Politico). This marks a significant policy shift, as it is the first instance where the UK has used funds linked to Russia to finance lethal aid for Ukraine (Army Recognition).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they include official government announcements and reputable news organizations that cover international affairs. There is no indication of bias in the reporting, as the information is corroborated across multiple outlets.
Conclusion
The claim that the UK will send 350 advanced missiles to Ukraine using £70 million from frozen Russian assets is True. The evidence from official government statements and reputable news sources confirms that this military aid is part of a larger commitment to support Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict with Russia.
