British surveillance aircraft have also been spotted as part of a quiet but notable build-up of support to Ukraine’s military by the UK.
A group of around 30 elite British troops has arrived in Ukraine to help train the Ukrainian armed forces on new anti-tank weapons gifted by the UK amid fears of an imminent, new Russian invasion, Sky News understands.
The members of the Ranger Regiment – part of the army’s newly-formed Special Operations Brigade – flew out on military planes that also airlifted a total of some 2,000 anti-tank missile launchers to the country during the course of this week.
British surveillance aircraft have also been spotted as part of a quiet but notable build-up of support to Ukraine’s military by the UK.
Open source flight-tracking software has plotted Royal Air Force C-17 transport aircraft flying back and forth between the UK and Ukraine.
Sky News understands that “several” flights have taken place since Monday.
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The Daily Mail first reported that the UK had sent 2,000 anti-tank missile launchers in the airlifts. This figure is thought to be accurate.
George Allison, of the UK Defence Journal, a website focused on defence news, posted on Twitter a time-lapse of the flights, which he said began on Monday.
The UK is understood to have gifted the Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon, (NLAW), which is described by its manufacturers as “the first ever single soldier missile system that rapidly knocks out any Main Battle Tank in just one shot by striking it from above”.
The movement of weapons came after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced to parliament on Monday that Britain would increase its military support to Ukraine, which also included an increase in British military personnel on the ground as trainers.
“We have taken the decision to supply Ukraine with light, anti-armour, defensive weapon systems,” he said.
“A small number of UK personnel will also provide early-stage training for a short period of time, within the framework of Operation Orbital, before then returning to the UK.”
UK insists military support poses ‘no threat to Russia’
Operation Orbital is the name of a British training mission in Ukraine that was set up in 2015 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea the previous year and backing of an insurgency in the east of the country.
Mr Wallace added: “Let me be clear: this support is for short-range, and clearly defensive weapons capabilities; they are not strategic weapons and pose no threat to Russia.
“They are to use in self-defence and the UK personnel providing the early-stage training will return to the UK after completing it.”
But Russia viewed the move with suspicion.
The Russian Embassy to the UK posted on Twitter: “It is crystal clear that UK shipment of lethal weapons to Ukraine will only fuel the crisis.”
Can any military nerds weigh in on whether these anti-tank weapons would be particularly effective against a Russian invasion?
This is why it would have been better to keep the UK in the EU and have a common defense policy. The UK is undoing careful German/EU diplomacy aimed at reducing the escalation in Ukraine.
If it comes to war we all lose, especially central Europe.
If this is not handled properly and Russia does invades, this conflict could escalate into WW3.
All the best to Ukraine.
Obviously, we’re only sending them the tools and the “elite” troops are for training the Ukrainians.
We’re not actually going to fight.
more powder into the powder keg. uk gets 5 mins to feel like empire. nothing more, nothing less.
more powder into the powder keg. uk gets 5 mins to feel like empire. nothing more, nothing less.
UK FR all are participate in action
That’s an average of one trooper shooting 67 anti-tank weapons at the same time.
Wow, they are elite indeed.
Jokes aside, I hope everything is gonna go well for the UA, cheers from Czech Republic.
The Russians have no idea what they’re up against. Ukrainians are very strong people. They are fighting for a western future in the EU.
Bet the Russians are terrified.
Is Soap MacTavish on the ground? If so those Russkis are fucked!
Can someone explain what changed in the Ukraine – Russia Situation compared to one year ago? I am by no means an expert on this subject, but I was under the impression that the threat of an invasion was always there… Why is it more likely to happen now?
Gos bless the queen.
*From Salisbury With Love.*
> “We’re visiting Saint Sophia Cathedral.”
A Ranger, probably.
Please tell me Putin and NATO are just measuring their dicks and we don’t have another war approaching…
I don’t think they liked that cathedral visit very much.
Western countries are getting ready to evacuate their embassies
Another UK C17 has just taken off, might be going elsewhere but its direction of travel seems to be mainland Europe.
Also the Tanker doing mainland Europe duty now is a Netherlands tanker, not a USA as previously so what ever is going on is coordinated.
Literally human shields as in “I dare you harm a British Soldier”.
[deleted]
Can those troops grab a six-pack of beer and a dozen of Patriot launchers on their way here, please?
We have pizza, but out of beer and Patriot launchers.
Is it better to have 1 of these or 10 AT4s?
Massive thanks from all the Ukrainians from a Ukrainian. At least somebody is showing the balls. Germany has none apparently
28 comments
British surveillance aircraft have also been spotted as part of a quiet but notable build-up of support to Ukraine’s military by the UK.
A group of around 30 elite British troops has arrived in Ukraine to help train the Ukrainian armed forces on new anti-tank weapons gifted by the UK amid fears of an imminent, new Russian invasion, Sky News understands.
The members of the Ranger Regiment – part of the army’s newly-formed Special Operations Brigade – flew out on military planes that also airlifted a total of some 2,000 anti-tank missile launchers to the country during the course of this week.
British surveillance aircraft have also been spotted as part of a quiet but notable build-up of support to Ukraine’s military by the UK.
Open source flight-tracking software has plotted Royal Air Force C-17 transport aircraft flying back and forth between the UK and Ukraine.
Sky News understands that “several” flights have taken place since Monday.
Advertisement
The Daily Mail first reported that the UK had sent 2,000 anti-tank missile launchers in the airlifts. This figure is thought to be accurate.
George Allison, of the UK Defence Journal, a website focused on defence news, posted on Twitter a time-lapse of the flights, which he said began on Monday.
The UK is understood to have gifted the Next Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon, (NLAW), which is described by its manufacturers as “the first ever single soldier missile system that rapidly knocks out any Main Battle Tank in just one shot by striking it from above”.
The movement of weapons came after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced to parliament on Monday that Britain would increase its military support to Ukraine, which also included an increase in British military personnel on the ground as trainers.
“We have taken the decision to supply Ukraine with light, anti-armour, defensive weapon systems,” he said.
“A small number of UK personnel will also provide early-stage training for a short period of time, within the framework of Operation Orbital, before then returning to the UK.”
UK insists military support poses ‘no threat to Russia’
Operation Orbital is the name of a British training mission in Ukraine that was set up in 2015 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea the previous year and backing of an insurgency in the east of the country.
Mr Wallace added: “Let me be clear: this support is for short-range, and clearly defensive weapons capabilities; they are not strategic weapons and pose no threat to Russia.
“They are to use in self-defence and the UK personnel providing the early-stage training will return to the UK after completing it.”
But Russia viewed the move with suspicion.
The Russian Embassy to the UK posted on Twitter: “It is crystal clear that UK shipment of lethal weapons to Ukraine will only fuel the crisis.”
[Additionally the UK has held talks with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to discuss sending more NATO troops to Ukraine’s neighbours to act as a “deterrent” to Russia.](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/britain-fears-tens-of-thousands-dead-if-russia-invades-ukraine-jvzh266pr)
Behind Paywall.
WW3 here we come.
[deleted]
Thank you 🇺🇦🤝🇬🇧
Can any military nerds weigh in on whether these anti-tank weapons would be particularly effective against a Russian invasion?
This is why it would have been better to keep the UK in the EU and have a common defense policy. The UK is undoing careful German/EU diplomacy aimed at reducing the escalation in Ukraine.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence-and-security/news/germany-continues-blocking-arms-exports-to-ukraine-due-to-new-foreign-peace-policy/
If it comes to war we all lose, especially central Europe.
If this is not handled properly and Russia does invades, this conflict could escalate into WW3.
All the best to Ukraine.
Obviously, we’re only sending them the tools and the “elite” troops are for training the Ukrainians.
We’re not actually going to fight.
more powder into the powder keg. uk gets 5 mins to feel like empire. nothing more, nothing less.
more powder into the powder keg. uk gets 5 mins to feel like empire. nothing more, nothing less.
UK FR all are participate in action
That’s an average of one trooper shooting 67 anti-tank weapons at the same time.
Wow, they are elite indeed.
Jokes aside, I hope everything is gonna go well for the UA, cheers from Czech Republic.
The Russians have no idea what they’re up against. Ukrainians are very strong people. They are fighting for a western future in the EU.
Bet the Russians are terrified.
Is Soap MacTavish on the ground? If so those Russkis are fucked!
Can someone explain what changed in the Ukraine – Russia Situation compared to one year ago? I am by no means an expert on this subject, but I was under the impression that the threat of an invasion was always there… Why is it more likely to happen now?
Gos bless the queen.
*From Salisbury With Love.*
> “We’re visiting Saint Sophia Cathedral.”
A Ranger, probably.
Please tell me Putin and NATO are just measuring their dicks and we don’t have another war approaching…
I don’t think they liked that cathedral visit very much.
Western countries are getting ready to evacuate their embassies
Another UK C17 has just taken off, might be going elsewhere but its direction of travel seems to be mainland Europe.
Also the Tanker doing mainland Europe duty now is a Netherlands tanker, not a USA as previously so what ever is going on is coordinated.
Literally human shields as in “I dare you harm a British Soldier”.
[deleted]
Can those troops grab a six-pack of beer and a dozen of Patriot launchers on their way here, please?
We have pizza, but out of beer and Patriot launchers.
Is it better to have 1 of these or 10 AT4s?
Massive thanks from all the Ukrainians from a Ukrainian. At least somebody is showing the balls. Germany has none apparently