Healey ‘We cannot jeopardise peace by forgetting war’

Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed a major uplift in the UK’s military support to Ukraine, warning the House of Commons that despite Kremlin claims of a ceasefire, “Putin broke it”, as Russia presses attacks across multiple fronts.

In a wide-ranging oral statement to Parliament on Tuesday, Healey detailed the worsening humanitarian toll of Moscow’s war, while reaffirming Britain’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s right to self-defence and sovereignty.

“On Palm Sunday, men, women and children in Sumy, on their way to church were hit by Putin’s deadliest attack on Ukrainian civilians so far this year,” Healey told MPs. “Thirty-five people – including young children – were killed, and over 100 injured.”

The update came hours after HMS Prince of Wales departed Portsmouth on Operation Highmast, a major Indo-Pacific deployment, which Healey referenced as part of the UK’s broader commitment to global security.

£200m to frontline, drones and repairs

The Defence Secretary confirmed that the UK is now providing its highest level of military support to Ukraine yet, pledging £4.5 billion this year alone.

Among new commitments announced:

• £200 million worth of urgently needed kit, including “radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones”, set to begin arriving on the frontline within weeks.
• £160 million to repair and maintain battlefield vehicles and equipment.
• Strengthened industrial links between the UK and Ukraine, aiming to benefit both UK businesses and Ukraine’s armed forces.

Healey said the support reflected a recognition that “we cannot jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war.”

“This support will strengthen Ukrainian troops in the close fight now and strengthen our industrial links with Ukraine to boost UK businesses,” he added.

Putin “playing for time”

Healey made clear that Russia’s recent rhetoric about ceasefires and truces stood in stark contrast with its battlefield actions.

Quoting UK Defence Intelligence assessments, he told the House: “No indication that a ceasefire on the frontline was observed over the Easter period.”

He continued: “Putin says he wants peace – he rejected a full ceasefire. He says he wants to end the fighting – he continues to play for time in negotiations.”

Despite ongoing assaults in Sumy, Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts, Healey told MPs that Russia’s battlefield progress has slowed.

“Putin gained less territory in March than he did in February – and less in February than he did in January,” he said, noting that several Ukrainian towns under pressure since December remain unconquered.

He also shared updated casualty figures: “Over 940,000 Russians have likely been killed or injured in the war so far – including over 150,000 this year alone. Last month, Russia’s average daily casualty rate was 1,300 – almost double that of this time last year.”

Meanwhile, Russia’s domestic economic pressures are mounting. “Interest rates are at 21 per cent, inflation is running at over 10 per cent, and the Russian government is spending nearly 40 per cent of its total budget on this military campaign,” he said.

“We must remain united”

Healey concluded by urging continued unity in support for Ukraine, warning of further escalations and attacks.

“It is likely that Russia will keep up attacks on the Sumy oblast to help it fully reclaim nearby contested areas of Kursk,” he said. “We expect more ground to be taken, and more Russian missiles fired into Ukraine.”

But he emphasised: “We must remain united for Ukraine – across this House, across this country, and across those nations standing alongside Ukraine.”

“We will step up support for Ukraine and pressure on Putin to force him to recognise that now is the time for peace – and that continuing the war will prove much worse in the long run for Russia.”