UK pledges £100m to strengthen Ukraine's air defences for winter

The UK has committed £100 million to bolster Ukraine's air defences over winter, supplying Patriot missiles, defence interceptors, large-calibre artillery rounds, and drones. This package aims to counter Russian attacks on civilian and energy targets during the colder months. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting is set to co-chair his first meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, comprising around 50 nations, with German counterpart Boris Pistorius on Tuesday. The UK also recently agreed to declassify blueprints for British-made components of the Scalp missile, a French version of the Storm Shadow already used against targets in Russia. Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke with US President Donald Trump on Monday, agreeing on the need to pursue a ceasefire to prevent further loss of life. US envoys held talks in Kyiv on Sunday as part of ongoing efforts to end the conflict.