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.”