British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to deliver 150 artillery barrels to Ukraine as part of a “100-year partnership” with the country.
Sir Keir vowed to uphold the treaty signed with Ukraine on Thursday - a “historic” deal set to bring in more economic and military support for Kyiv in the future.
Struck by the “grim reminder” of war while visiting a burns hospital unit in Kyiv earlier today, the prime minister promised the UK would “play its full part” in guaranteeing Ukraine’s security.
The Sheffield-made guns will be delivered to Ukraine’s military over the next few weeks as part of this deal, Sir Keir said.
He said it is “the first time in over 20 years that these barrels were produced in the United Kingdom and they will start arriving in Ukraine in just a few weeks’ time.”
Vladimir Putin’s troops attacked Kyiv this morning as Sir Keir made the surprise visit to the war-torn city on Thursday.
Ukrainian air defences rushed to down a Russian drone as explosions were reported throughout the Ukrainian capital during Sir Keir’s trip.
Key points
- Sheffield-made artillery to be sent to Kyiv
- Putin’s troops launch massive drone attack
- What is the 100-year partnership?
- Starmer and Zelensky discuss Western peacekeepers in Ukraine
North Korea may lose all 12,000 soldiers in Russia by April – ISW
03:47
,
Arpan Rai
The entire North Korean contingent of roughly 12,000 personnel currently in Kursk may be killed or wounded in action by mid-April 2025, a US-based think-tank has said, citing the high attrition in the battlefield.
North Koreans have likely suffered roughly 92 casualties per day since starting to participate in significant fighting in early December 2024, the Institute for the Study of War said.
“The entirety of this North Korean contingent in Kursk oblast may be killed or wounded in roughly 12 weeks (about mid-April 2025) should North Korean forces continue to suffer similarly high casualty rates in the future,” the ISW said in its latest war assessment.
“North Korean forces will likely continue to suffer a larger ratio of wounded to killed in action – as is typical for armed conflict – and it is unclear if or when injured North Korean soldiers return to combat,” the ISW said.
Child injured in Russian drone attack on Kyiv
03:22
,
Arpan Rai
A downed Russian drone in Kyiv yesterday evening has left a child injured, officials said.
The Ukrainian air defence units intercepted targets over an unnamed town in Kyiv oblast, Mykola Kalashnyk, the acting head of the regional military administration, said.
The falling wreckage from the drone injured a 12-year-old boy and caused a fire, he said.
The boy has been hospitalised and is receiving medical attention, Mr Kalashnyk said, adding that no other casualties were reported.
Starmer vows more work on security guarantees for Ukraine
03:09
,
Arpan Rai
Prime minister Keir Starmer has pledged to work with Ukraine and allies to offer Kyiv robust security guarantees if a ceasefire is negotiated with Russia as he offered more support to Volodymyr Zelensky with a 100-year partnership deal.
In his first trip to Ukraine since becoming prime minister in July last year, Sir Keir was keen to underline Britain’s support for the nation just days before Donald Trump returns to power in the US.
At an earlier press conference alongside Mr Zelensky, he said Britain would look at “the practical ways to get a just and lasting peace... that guarantees your security, your independence and your right to choose your own future”, but declined to go into any details of which measures he supported.
“We will work with you and all of our allies on steps that would be robust enough to guarantee Ukraine’s security,” Sir Keir said. “Those conversations will continue for many months ahead.”
Pressed in an interview with Sky News on whether Britain would contribute troops to any peacekeeping force, the British PM said: “I’ve been discussing this with a number of allies, including, of course, (French) president Macron, including president Zelensky here today, and we will play our full part.”
Russia open for Trump talks after diplomat praises his Nato attack
03:01
,
Tom Watling
Russia says it will help Vietnam become a 'partner country' in the BRICS bloc of developing nations
02:01
,
Tom Watling
Trump ‘would breach international law’ if he gives up Ukrainian land
01:00
,
Tom Watling
Russia plotted terror attacks on airlines, Polish PM claims
00:03
,
Tom Watling
North Korea’s suicide soldiers pose a new risk on the Ukraine battlefield
Thursday 16 January 2025 23:00
,
Alexander Butler
Putin’s troops launch massive drone attack
Thursday 16 January 2025 22:00
,
Alexander Butler
Vladimir Putin’s troops have launched a massive overnight drone attack at Ukraine as UK prime minister Keir Starmer visited the country.
Russian forces launched 55 drones at Ukraine overnight, with Kyiv’s airforce able to down around 34 of them over 11 regions across the country.
It comes as Sir Keir slammed Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as a “monumental failure” during a visit to Kyiv on Thursday.
What is the 100-year partnership?
Thursday 16 January 2025 21:00
,
Alexander Butler
The 100-year “historic partnership” signed by the UK and Ukraine will see the flow of more military and economic aid to Kyiv.
It will also include increased military collaboration on maritime security and drone technology, as well as healthcare, Downing Street said.
Technology partnerships in areas such as agri-tech, space and drones will also be included, according to the prime minister’s office.
“From working together on the world stage to breaking down barriers to trade and growth and nurturing cultural links, the mutually beneficial partnership will see the UK and Ukraine advocate for each other to renew, rebuild and reform for generations to come,” No 10 said.
Analysis: Starmer pledges aid as ‘threat is real’
Thursday 16 January 2025 20:00
,
Sam Kiley
Keir Starmer joining the rush of European leaders to Kyiv to offer support for Ukraine and, in Britain’s case a 100 years of defence cooperation is because the threat is real, The Independent’s World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley writes.
Donald Trump has signalled that he’s sympathetic to Vladimir Putin’s reasons for invading the sovereign nation and unsympathetic to its plans to join Nato.
Europe is, too late, waking up to the fact that soon US aid to Ukraine may be strangled off. Under Joe Biden, military aid of about $60 billion helped keep the Russian invaders at bay.
But it was restricted and only recently have the Ukrainians have been able to use what little they have been given to fight off the Russians with attacks inside their enemy’s national borders.
Starmer will sign a “100-Year Partnership” treaty in Kyiv covering areas including defence, science, energy and trade on his visit.
Analysis: Visits send signal to Trump
Thursday 16 January 2025 19:00
,
Sam Kiley
The Italian defence chief was also in Kyiv on Thursday, two days after Germany’s defence minister visited and three days after Zelenskyy talked by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron.
These visits are intended to reassure Ukraine but also signal to the US that Europe is getting serious about defending Europe, The Independent’s World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley writes.
Trump’s recent demand that Nato nations should spend 5 per cent off the Gross Domestic Product on defence is being seen as difficult, but not unreasonable.
There are also signs that the Europeans don’t fully trust Trump in dealing with Russia over Ukraine and fears that he might favour the Kremlin over America’s long term allies.
Britain says its 100-year pledge is part of that assurance and will help ensure that Ukraine is “never again vulnerable to the kind of brutality inflicted on it by Russia”.
This bilateral agreement is intended to offset any decline in multilateral Nato support. The UK will be committed to work with Ukraine in defence, especially in the Black Sea, and drone technology.
Watch: Zelensky and Starmer lay flowers at memorial to fallen Ukraine soldiers
Thursday 16 January 2025 18:00
,
Alexander Butler
Pictured: Starmer and Zelensky give press conference
Thursday 16 January 2025 17:00
,
Alexander Butler
UK should ‘only’ host Trump visit if he ‘delivers’ on Ukraine says Sir Ed Davey
Thursday 16 January 2025 16:00
,
Alexander Butler
Sheffield-made artillery to be sent to Kyiv
Thursday 16 January 2025 15:32
,
Alexander Butler
British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to deliver 150 artillery barrels to Ukraine as part of a “100-year partnership” with the country.
Sir Keir vowed to uphold the treaty signed with Ukraine on Thursday - a “historic” deal set to bring in more economic and military support for Kyiv in the future.
Struck by the “grim reminder” of war while visiting a burns hospital unit in Kyiv earlier today, the prime minister promised the UK would “play its full part” in guaranteeing Ukraine’s security.
The Sheffield-made guns will be delivered to Ukraine’s military over the next few weeks as part of this deal, Sir Keir said.
Starmer and Zelensky discuss Western peacekeepers in Ukraine
Thursday 16 January 2025 14:21
,
Alexander Butler
The British prime minister and Volodymyr Zelensky have discussed a French-backed proposal for Western peacekeepers being deployed in Ukraine after any potential ceasefire with Russia.
The two leaders spoke about the plan as Sir Keir Starmer made a surprise visit to war-torn Kyiv on Thursday - but Zelensky said it was “too early to talk about details.”
Sir Keir did not commit to being part of such an arrangement but said “we will work with you and all of our allies on steps that would be robust enough to guarantee Ukraine’s security”.
The idea would see British and French soldiers deployed to the country and has been championed by French president Emmanuel Macron.
Russian gunpowder factory attacked, Ukrainian official says
Thursday 16 January 2025 13:49
,
Alex Croft
A major Russian gunpowder factory was attacked, a Ukrainian official said on Thursday, without claiming responsibility for the attack.
The factory, in Rudsia’s Tambov region, is “one of the main suppliers of explosive materials” for the Russian army, Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation, wrote on Telegram.
“With the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, production at the plant increased significantly,” he added.
Mr Kovalenko did not specify what the consequences of the attack on the factory were, and Russian has not yet commented on the attack.
North Korea’s suicide soldiers pose a new risk on the Ukraine battlefield
Thursday 16 January 2025 13:45
,
Alexander Butler
Starmer and Zelensky discuss deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine
Thursday 16 January 2025 13:27
,
Alex Croft
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has discussed the deployment of foreign troops with the UK, he said in a joint press conference with British prime minister Keir Starmer.
It is as-yet unclear what the conclusion of these discussions were, and whether the UK will send any troops to Ukraine.
Mr Zelensky has also discussed the topic with France, Poland, and Baltic countries, he added.
The remarks came in a joint press conference between the leaders, in which Sir Keir said the UK would continue working to guarantee Ukraine’s security.
"We will work with you and all of our allies on steps that would be robust enough to guarantee Ukraine's security. We will play our full part,” he said.
Starmer and Zelensky sign 100-year partnership
Thursday 16 January 2025 13:20
,
Alex Croft
Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky have signed the landmark 100-year partnership agreement to strengthen the countries’ relationship.
“Today is a truly historic day, our relationship is closer than ever,” Mr Zelensky told media after the signing the partnership, which will depeen security ties between the countries, on Thursday.
UK to deliver new air defense system to Ukraine
Thursday 16 January 2025 13:17
,
Alex Croft
The UK will deliver a new mobile air defence system to Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer told a joint press conference with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
The defence system would be “developed to meet Ukraine’s needs,” Sir Keir said.
Analysis: Visits send signal to Trump
Thursday 16 January 2025 13:15
,
Alexander Butler
The Italian defence chief was also in Kyiv on Thursday, two days after Germany’s defence minister visited and three days after Zelenskyy talked by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron.
These visits are intended to reassure Ukraine but also signal to the US that Europe is getting serious about defending Europe, The Independent’s World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley writes.
Trump’s recent demand that Nato nations should spend 5 per cent off the Gross Domestic Product on defence is being seen as difficult, but not unreasonable.
There are also signs that the Europeans don’t fully trust Trump in dealing with Russia over Ukraine and fears that he might favour the Kremlin over America’s long term allies.
Britain says its 100-year pledge is part of that assurance and will help ensure that Ukraine is “never again vulnerable to the kind of brutality inflicted on it by Russia”.
This bilateral agreement is intended to offset any decline in multilateral Nato support. The UK will be committed to work with Ukraine in defence, especially in the Black Sea, and drone technology.
Ukraine claims hit on Russian oil depot
Thursday 16 January 2025 12:44
,
Alex Ross
Ukraine‘s military said on Thursday it hit a Russian oil depot in the Voronezh region of Russia overnight.
At least three drones hit a target, causing a fire, Ukraine‘s general staff said on Telegram. It added that the depot stored fuel used by the Russian military.
It comes as Russian forces launched a drone attack on Kyiv during Sir Keir Starmer’s visit.
Starmer’s agenda in Kyiv
Thursday 16 January 2025 12:21
,
Alex Ross
It’s a busy day for the UK prime minister who arrived at Kyiv railway station this morning on a surprise visit to Ukraine’s capital.
During the visit, Starmer and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky laid flowers at a wall of remembrance for those killed in the war. The wall outside St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, a Kyiv landmark, is covered in photos of the slain, stretching for a city block.
It has become a place of pilgrimage for families paying tribute to their lost loved ones.Sir Keir also visited a Kyiv hospital specialising in burn treatment.While Sir Keir was later meeting with Mr Zelensky at the presidential palace, a car and a building were damaged elsewhere in Kyiv by debris from Russian drones shot down by Ukraine’s air defenses, according to city adminstration chief Tymur Tkachenko.
We expect to hear more from Sir Keir following his meeting today.
Russia attacks Kyiv during Starmer visit
Thursday 16 January 2025 11:54
,
Alexander Butler
Vladimir Putin’s troops have attacked Kyiv as British prime minister Keir Starmer walked around the war-torn city on Thursday.
Ukrainian air defences rushed to down a Russian drone after explosions were reported throughout the Ukrainian capital during Sir Keir’s visit.
There were no casualties as a result of the day-time attack, but a car was damaged by falling debris, according to a city official.
Analysis: Visits send signal to Trump
Thursday 16 January 2025 11:45
,
Sam Kiley
The Italian defence chief was also in Kyiv on Thursday, two days after Germany’s defence minister visited and three days after Zelenskyy talked by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron.
These visits are intended to reassure Ukraine but also signal to the US that Europe is getting serious about defending Europe, The Independent’s World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley writes.
Trump’s recent demand that Nato nations should spend 5 per cent off the Gross Domestic Product on defence is being seen as difficult, but not unreasonable.
There are also signs that the Europeans don’t fully trust Trump in dealing with Russia over Ukraine and fears that he might favour the Kremlin over America’s long term allies.
Britain says its 100-year pledge is part of that assurance and will help ensure that Ukraine is “never again vulnerable to the kind of brutality inflicted on it by Russia”.
This bilateral agreement is intended to offset any decline in multilateral Nato support. The UK will be committed to work with Ukraine in defence, especially in the Black Sea, and drone technology.
Analysis: Starmer pledges aid as ‘threat is real’
Thursday 16 January 2025 11:16
,
Sam Kiley
Keir Starmer joining the rush of European leaders to Kyiv to offer support for Ukraine and, in Britain’s case a 100 years of defence cooperation is because the threat is real, The Independent’s World Affairs Editor Sam Kiley writes.
Donald Trump has signalled that he’s sympathetic to Vladimir Putin’s reasons for invading the sovereign nation and unsympathetic to its plans to join Nato.
Europe is, too late, waking up to the fact that soon US aid to Ukraine may be strangled off. Under Joe Biden, military aid of about $60 billion helped keep the Russian invaders at bay.
But it was restricted and only recently have the Ukrainians have been able to use what little they have been given to fight off the Russians with attacks inside their enemy’s national borders.
Starmer will sign a “100-Year Partnership” treaty in Kyiv covering areas including defence, science, energy and trade on his visit.
Pictured: Starmer looks at war damage in Kyiv
Thursday 16 January 2025 11:09
,
Alexander Butler
What is the 100-year partnership?
Thursday 16 January 2025 11:07
,
Alexander Butler
The 100-year “historic partnership” signed by the UK and Ukraine will see the flow of more military and economic aid to Kyiv.
It will also include increased military collaboration on maritime security and drone technology, as well as healthcare, Downing Street said.
Technology partnerships in areas such as agri-tech, space and drones will also be included, according to the prime minister’s office.
“From working together on the world stage to breaking down barriers to trade and growth and nurturing cultural links, the mutually beneficial partnership will see the UK and Ukraine advocate for each other to renew, rebuild and reform for generations to come,” No 10 said.
Starmer vows 100-year partnership with Kyiv
Thursday 16 January 2025 10:37
,
Alexander Butler
British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to uphold a 100-year partnership with Ukraine as he visited the war-torn country on Thursday.
Sir Keir said the UK and Ukraine were “closer than ever” and the partnership would take the friendship of the two countries to the next level during his surprise visit to Kyiv.
As he was struck by the “grim reminder” of war while visiting a burns hospital unit in Kyiv, he pledged more military and economic aid, as well as drone technology and healthcare.
Pictured: Starmer lays wreath at Ukrainian remembrance wall
Thursday 16 January 2025 10:05
,
Alexander Butler
Pictured: Starmer visits Ukrainian hospital
Thursday 16 January 2025 10:01
,
Alexander Butler
UK considering sending troops to Ukraine
Thursday 16 January 2025 09:40
,
Alexander Butler
The UK is considering sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine after any potential deal to end the conflict, it has been reported.
The idea would see British and French soldiers deployed to the country and has been championed by French president Emmanuel Macron.
It comes after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he would discuss the plan with Keir Starmer during the British prime minister’s visit to Kyiv on Thursday.
Sir Keir is not fully signed up to the proposal, with the government considering “the threat that those troops may be under and whether that is escalatory,” according to The Daily Telegraph.
Starmer speaks to journalist at hospital in Kyiv
Thursday 16 January 2025 09:39
,
Alex Ross
Just hours after arriving in Kyiv on a surprise visit to Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer has spoken to journalists while inside a burns unit at one of the capital’s hospitals.
“[This] is a grim reminder of the heavy price Ukraine is paying,” he said.
“So we must give the necessary support, and that’s what I’m discussing with President Zelensky today. We must never let up on that and we’ve been leading the way.”
Sir Keir has arrived to sign a 100-year partnership which will see further economic and military support for Ukraine.
He said: “So I’m here for both those purposes but the main one is to make sure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position during 2025.”
He said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war had been a failure, and “one of the consequences of this conflict has been to draw Nato more strongly together”.
“It’s bigger and stronger than it has been, and we must stand behind Ukraine for as long as it takes.
“But when we say Ukraine must be in the strongest possible position, that can’t be just words. And that’s why I’ve had such intense discussions with President Zelensky over the months that I’ve been Prime Minister and will again here in Ukraine.”
Analysis: Starmer’s last ditch attempt to shore up support for Ukraine pre-Trump
Thursday 16 January 2025 08:57
,
Millie Cooke
Sir Keir Starmer has ramped up support for Ukraine, in a last-ditch attempt to show solidarity with the war-torn nation in the final days before Donald Trump takes office.
The agreement set to be signed between London and Kyiv has been in the works since the previous Conservative administration – but it speaks volumes that Sir Keir has travelled to Ukraine to get it over the line the week before Trump’s inauguration.
His first trip to Ukraine since entering Downing Street comes amid concerns over the president-elect’s commitment to Nato and indications that he would encourage Ukraine to make concessions as part of a deal with Russia – threats that made a marked contribution to No 10’s ramped up effort to put Ukraine in “the strongest possible position” this winter.
Putin’s troops launch massive drone attack
Thursday 16 January 2025 08:33
,
Alexander Butler
Vladimir Putin’s troops have launched a massive overnight drone attack at Ukraine as UK prime minister Keir Starmer visited the country.
Russian forces launched 55 drones at Ukraine overnight, with Kyiv’s airforce able to down around 34 of them over 11 regions across the country.
It comes as Sir Keir slammed Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as a “monumental failure” during a visit to Kyiv on Thursday.
Zelensky and Starmer to discuss foreign boots in Ukraine in meeting today
Thursday 16 January 2025 07:31
,
Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky has said he and British prime minister Keir Starmer will discuss a plan proposed by French president Emmanuel Macron that would see troops from France and other Western countries stationed in Ukraine to oversee a ceasefire agreement.
Mr Zelensky has said any such proposal should go alongside a timeline for Ukraine to join Nato.
The alliance’s 32 member countries say that Ukraine will join one day, but not until after the war. Donald Trump has appeared to sympathise with Russian president Putin’s position that Ukraine should not be part of Nato.
Photos: Keir Starmer heads to Ukraine today
Thursday 16 January 2025 07:01
,
Arpan Rai
Prime minister Keir Starmer is on his way to Ukraine today as he boarded a train to reach the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
Donning a black t-shirt, Sir Keir was seen being briefed by his military adviser ahead of the bilateral outreach to the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
On a gray and frosty morning, the British prime minister was greeted at Kyiv railway station by the UK ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Harris and Ukraine’s envoy to London, Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
North Korea’s suicide soldiers pose a new risk on the Ukraine battlefield
Thursday 16 January 2025 07:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Russian gunpowder factory attacked, says Ukraine
Thursday 16 January 2025 06:52
,
Arpan Rai
A major Russian gunpowder factory in the Tambov region was attacked, a Ukrainian official said today, without directly claiming responsibility or specifying the consequences of the attack.
“The enterprise is one of the main suppliers of explosive materials for the army of the Russian Federation,” Andriy Kovalenko, the head of Ukraine’s centre for countering disinformation, wrote on Telegram.
“With the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, production at the plant increased significantly,” he added.
What do we know about Britain’s 100-year pledge to Ukraine?
Thursday 16 January 2025 06:30
,
Arpan Rai
British prime minister Keir Starmer is meeting president Volodymyr Zelensky to sign a “100-Year Partnership” treaty in Kyiv, covering areas including defence, science, energy and trade.
But what is behind the British pledge to the war-hit country?
Britain says the treaty is designed to offer a century of security assurances, and will help ensure Ukraine is “never again vulnerable to the kind of brutality inflicted on it by Russia”. Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and began a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The deal commits the two sides to cooperate on defence – especially maritime security against Russian activity in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea and Sea of Azov – and on technology projects including drones, which have become vital weapons for both sides in the war.
The treaty also includes a system to help track stolen Ukrainian grain exported by Russia from occupied parts of the country.
Keir Starmer arrives in Ukraine for surprise visit to sign ‘100-year partnership’
Thursday 16 January 2025 06:18
,
Arpan Rai
Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has been a “monumental strategic failure”, Sir Keir Starmer said as he travelled to the country to sign a new long-term partnership deal with Volodymyr Zelensky.
The 100 Year Partnership includes defence and scientific collaboration but will also forge new community links between the UK and Ukraine.
The agreement will bolster military collaboration on maritime security and will bring together experts in areas including drone technology.
The prime minister, visiting Ukraine for the first time since entering No 10, said the deal showed Mr Putin’s attempts to pull Ukraine away from the West had backfired.
Russian missile attack forces Ukraine to shut down power grid
Thursday 16 January 2025 06:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Starmer arrives in Ukraine for security talks with Zelensky
Thursday 16 January 2025 05:45
,
Arpan Rai
Prime minister Keir Starmer arrived in Ukraine today with a pledge to help guarantee the country’s security for a century, days before Donald Trump is sworn in as US president.
The government says Mr Starmer and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will sign a “100-Year Partnership” treaty in Kyiv, covering areas including defence, science, energy and trade.
“Putin’s ambition to wrench Ukraine away from its closest partners has been a monumental strategic failure. Instead, we are closer than ever, and this partnership will take that friendship to the next level,” Mr Starmer said ahead of the visit.
“This is not just about the here and now, it is also about an investment in our two countries for the next century, bring
