The UK Ministry of Defence announced on 15/4 the "largest ever" provision of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to Ukraine, with London set to deliver at least 120,000 units to Kyiv by 2026. The ministry stated this supply would boost growth and create jobs across the UK.

The weapons package includes thousands of long-range attack drones, reconnaissance drones, logistics drones, and maritime equipment, all "combat-proven on the front lines in Ukraine." Deliveries began in April.

Ukrainian soldiers prepare to deploy a drone during training in Zaporizhzhia province on 23/3. *Photo: AFP*

"This significant addition of combat-proven drones will provide Ukraine with the necessary capability to defend its people and counter Russian forces," said UK Defence Minister John Healey. He affirmed that nothing would distract the UK from its "effort to stand with Ukraine until peace is achieved," even as the Middle East has been a focus in recent weeks.

At the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting held in Germany on the same day, Minister Healey announced that the UK would also supply hundreds of thousands of artillery shells and thousands of anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed that drones are currently used in most Ukrainian counter-offensives, playing a crucial role on both the front lines and in strikes targeting objectives behind enemy lines.

Minister Fedorov referenced information provided by President Volodymyr Zelensky on 14/4, where Zelensky stated that Ukraine had "for the first time in history" captured a Russian position solely with ground and aerial drones, without deploying infantry.

Ukrainian drones strike several Russian targets on the Crimean Peninsula in a video posted on 2/4. *Video: NVOA*

According to Ukrainian officials, Kyiv is intensifying domestic drone production and accelerating the delivery of these systems to front-line soldiers.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted that support for Ukraine is no longer one-sided. Kyiv's expertise in drone use and countermeasures is now being shared with NATO, and the alliance is learning directly from this combat experience.

Pham Giang (According to Ukrainska Pravda, Euronews, BBC)