Defence Secretary John Healey has warned that Russian forces seized more than 550 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory last month, “an area greater than the size of Greater Manchester”, as Moscow intensifies pressure along the frontline in its war against Ukraine.
Delivering a statement to the House of Commons on 17 July, Healey said the British Government remained committed to Ukraine and outlined new details of UK contributions to the war effort. He also confirmed that plans are now complete for a future ‘Multinational Force Ukraine’, with the UK and France leading on the establishment of its command structure.
Despite heavy fighting and continuing Russian advances, Healey stressed that Ukrainian forces were continuing to strike deep into Russian territory, citing the recent ‘Spider Web’ drone attack. “One year of meticulous planning, resulting in the damage of 41 long-range bombers—planes which threaten not only Ukraine, but also NATO as well,” he said.
Healey described the losses suffered by Russia as “catastrophic”, stating that more than a million Russian troops had been killed or wounded since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. “This year alone, Russia has sustained 240,000 casualties,” he told MPs.
He also confirmed that in July alone, more than 3,200 one-way drones had been launched at Ukrainian targets, following 5,000 in June and 4,000 in May. “On 9 July, a week ago today, the largest aerial strike of the war was recorded when Russia launched more than 700 attack drones in a single night,” he said.
As part of a renewed Western push to accelerate aid, the UK will commit further funds and equipment through the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), which Healey will co-chair on Monday alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
“Britain is providing more than £4.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine this year—more than ever before,” he said, adding that two-thirds of the UK’s £2.26 billion ‘Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration’ pledge had already been disbursed.
In coordination with Germany, the UK will also provide additional air defence missiles and has delivered nearly 50,000 drones since March. A further £40 million will be given through NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package.
Healey emphasised that NATO planning for post-war Ukraine is also progressing, with over 200 military planners from 30 nations now concluding the first phase of work on future support.
“The military command and control structures have now been agreed for a future Multinational Force Ukraine,” he said. This will include a three-star headquarters in Paris, rotating to London after 12 months, and a coordination hub in Kyiv led by a British two-star officer.
The force will focus on regeneration of Ukrainian land forces, support for air policing, and contributions to Black Sea maritime security. “When peace comes, we will be ready,” Healey told the House. “When peace comes, we will play our part in securing it for the long term.”
At what cost to Russia was this ground seized?
Exactly. The attrition which Russia is suffering is mind boggling
This is completely unsustainable for Russia. Just leave.
It’s crazy to think that the Russian military which was supposed to be the 2nd most powerful military on earth has taken 3 years to get to this point it doesn’t seem to do combined actions it seems that over the whole front line it’s just lots of little battles there seems to be no joined up thinking at all
The Russian military is far from the second most powerful on earth. The U.S. is first and china is second and they are both a long way ahead of anyone else.
China is a completely open question. We have no idea whether theyre are a coherent, organised force or a Potemkin military rampant with corruption and incompetence as per Russia
I’m not saying they are the 2nd most powerful I’m saying they were classed as and I don’t rate China it’s a paper tiger that doesn’t really have a blue water navy and there UN deployments have been embarrassing
The Russians will get most of what they want. Putin won’t stop until he does.
We will see
The British and French troops will be about as much use as the UN troops “protecting” the Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica.
“Multinational Force Ukraine”
Good news! I’m eager to see this MFUkr go to work.
OT.
Interesting that there is no article here on the Afghan names scandal where DSF released not only the names of afghans who want to come to the UK, many of which helped British forces, but names of SF personnel and intelligence officers as well.
HMG took out a super injunction.
Is the 7 reported 7 billion cost coming out of the defence budget as well?
Reportedly an Afghan who wanted asylum and was initially refused was granted access to the UK after effectively bribing HMG with threat to release the names.
Very poor if true.
Whatever, amazing how little safeguards there were in UKSF HQ that an officer can email such a list.
just a chain of emails probably, with the spreadsheet on one well down the list and then gets forwarded. Dont create huge spreadsheets is the answer. Who remembers the HMRC child benefit CDs “lost” in the post with millions of peoples details on them a while back. This kid of thing will keep happening in the digital age.
Putin will just keep going with an inexhaustible supply of bullet wasters and when he starts running out there are millions of expendable Nth Koreans to get through. The best hope of this ending is Putin diving pf old age and stupid nation sorting itself out but a very unlikely outcome. At some point there will be a DMZ until next time.