British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. PA
British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. PA
British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. PA
British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. PA

British Defence Secretary visits Ukraine to discuss how to bolster its air defences


Gillian Duncan
  • English
  • Arabic

British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have discussed how to strengthen Ukraine's air defences ahead of possible Russian strikes on critical energy infrastructure this winter during a meeting in Kyiv.

They also discussed the use of long-range weapons, according to Mr Zelenskyy’s office.

Britain has been one of Ukraine’s closest allies throughout the full-scale invasion launched by Russia in February 2022.

Earlier this year, it supplied Kyiv with Storm Shadow cruise missiles that have allowed Ukraine to conduct long-range strikes on Russian targets in territory occupied by Moscow.

“On behalf of the whole nation, I thank you for everything you are doing for us. We are grateful for your help – military, financial, humanitarian. We greatly appreciate that we can rely on you,” a statement released by Mr Zelenskyy’s office read.

Mr Zelenskyy also raised defence sector co-operation between Kyiv and London, which, he said, had enabled Ukraine to significantly expand its capabilities on the battlefield with long-range weapons.

The statement said Mr Shapps and Mr Zelenskyy discussed ways to improve Ukrainian air defences in anticipation of winter.

Mr Zelenskyy said in his daily video address late on Wednesday that “our warriors need more means of destroying Russian missiles, Shaheds and other combat drones, as well as Russian aircraft.”

The visit was not announced in advance, and it is unclear exactly when Mr Shapps met Mr Zelenskyy.

Mr Shapps has visited Ukraine before during the war, but in his previous capacity as Energy Secretary.

He replaced Ben Wallace as Defence Secretary last month, vowing to keep up Britain's support for Ukraine.

Meanwhile, an infrastructure facility on the outskirts of the Black Sea port city of Mykolayiv was hit by a Russian missile late on Wednesday, regional governor Vitaliy Kim said on Telegram.

Ukrainian air defence shot down 33 out of 44 Shahed drones launched by Russia overnight, the Ukrainian air force said in a post on the Telegram messenger app.

MATCH INFO

Euro 2020 qualifier

Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')

Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)

From exhibitions to the battlefield

In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.

It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.

It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.

It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.

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Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.

Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.

The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.

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Gothia Cup 2025

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Updated: September 28, 2023, 3:00 PM`