Russia launches 'massive drone strike' on Ukraine as Nato military leaders meet to discuss security guarantees
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The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Army spends £118m on more systems to shoot down missiles and drones
The new equipment will form part of Sky Sabre, a state-of-the-art defence system that can intercept munitions and aircraft. It replaced the previous Rapier system, which had run since the 1970s. The MRAD (medium range air defence) system will be made by manufacturer MBDA in Bolton. The Government said 140 jobs will be supported by the move. The Sky Sabre system replaced the former Rapier short range air defences, pictured during a training exercise in Blackheath ahead of of the 2012 Olympics (PA/Lewis Whyld) Defence minister Luke Pollard said: 'We are delivering on the strategic defence review by equipping our armed forces with state-of-the art equipment to help keep us safe. Doubling our deployable Sky Sabre capability will strengthen the UK's air defences, protect UK forces abroad, and deter our adversaries. 'Through this investment we are supporting over 100 jobs across the UK, with more to come.' The Land Ceptor systems are able to hit a tennis-ball sized object which is travelling at twice the speed of sound. The Sky Sabre operation can control 24 missiles at one time. As part of the system, the Land Ceptors operate alongside radar and a wider command and control centre. However, they are also able to be used on their own. Sky Sabre was recently tested as part of a Nato exercise in the Outer Hebrides, the Ministry of Defence said. It has already been deployed in Poland, as part of Nato operations with on eye on Russia. Commanding Officer of the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, Lt Col James Boutle, said: 'Sky Sabre represents a step change in the UK's ground-based air defence capability. 'As the Army's most advanced air defence system, it provides a powerful shield against modern airborne threats, from fast jets to precision-guided weapons and drones. 'For 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, operating Sky Sabre is both a privilege and a responsibility – ensuring we are trained and ready to strengthen the UK's contribution to Nato when called upon. 'As part of this, we work hand-in-hand with industry partners, such as MBDA here in the UK, to continuously optimise the system to ensure it remains on the cutting edge – a collaboration that guarantees we stay ahead of adversary technology.'
ITV News
3 hours ago
- ITV News
US factory among targets hit in Russian strikes on Ukraine as Washington pushes for peace
Russian strikes on civilian areas in Ukraine's Sumy and Odesa regions overnight into Thursday have injured 15 people, including a family with three small children, according to Ukrainian authorities. Further strikes also targeted ports, and fuel and energy infrastructure, officials said. A US electronics plant near the Hungarian border was struck, according to Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine. The Flex factory is one of the biggest American investments in Ukraine, Hunder told The Associated Press, adding that six workers had been injured. The latest attacks come as world leaders continue to push for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and direct negotiations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, with a view to ending the war. Nato defence chiefs met virtually on Wednesday to discuss how this could be achieved, with Zelenskyy pointing to Wednesday's strikes as evidence of the urgency with which peace was needed. The strikes follow a summit between Putin and US President Donald Trump in Alaska last week, aimed at resolving the conflict, as well as a White House meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump, who were joined by European leaders, on Monday. Wednesday's meeting was to discuss security guarantees, seen widely as the only viable way to prevent Russian rearmament and further fighting at some point in the future. It is understood 32 defence chiefs were participating in the call, with US General Alexus Grynkewich also in attendance. Ukraine has long maintained any end to the conflict must be supported with military assurances, pointing to previous instances of Russia breaking treaties and territorial assurances. 'We need strong security guarantees to ensure a truly secure and lasting peace,' Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post on Wednesday after Russian missile and drone strikes hit six regions of Ukraine overnight. Kyiv's European allies are looking to set up an alliance that could enforce any peace agreement. A coalition of 30 countries, including European nations, Japan and Australia, and led by the UK and France, have signed up to support the initiative. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had previously indicated he would consider sending UK troops to Ukraine as part of this force. Speaking on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump reaffirmed this commitment by the European so-called "coalition of the willing" and suggested the US would be prepared to offer assistance "by air," something he indicated for the first time in Monday's discussions. Russia has long maintained it will not countenance Nato troops operating in Ukraine, although US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff suggested the Kremlin seemed more amenable to the suggestion following Monday's meeting in Alaska. A meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy would not be the first time the leaders had spoken directly, having met in 2019 at the Paris Normandy Summit to discuss a ceasefire after Russia's occupation of Crimea. The Kremlin has yet to directly comment on any future talks between the two leaders. Speaking on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticised efforts by Europe and the US to plan for Ukrainian security guarantees without Moscow's involvement. 'We cannot agree with the fact that it is now proposed to resolve collective security issues without the Russian Federation. This will not work,' said Lavrov, according to state news agency RIA Novosti. Russia will 'ensure (its) legitimate interests firmly and harshly,' he added at a news conference in Moscow with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi. While Zelenskyy has confirmed he is ready to meet with Putin unconditionally, the Kremlin has yet to confirm Putin's commitment to do the same. French President Emmanuel Macron, who himself facilitated peace talks between the two neighbours in 2019, suggested the summit could happen in Europe and proposed the Swiss city of Geneva. Switzerland has expressed its willingness to act as host and, according to a senior official in The Hague with direct knowledge of the request, intends to ask the International Criminal Court (ICC) to exempt it from sanctions to allow Putin in for a summit. Such an exemption would be necessary due to an ICC 2023 arrest warrant on Putin for alleged involvement in the abduction of Ukrainian children. More than 100 countries are ICC signatories and have a legal obligation to arrest the Russian leader on their soil.
Western Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Army spends £118m on more systems to shoot down missiles and drones
The £118 million move will double the number of British-made Land Ceptor systems available to the British Army. It said they could be deployed both in the UK and overseas. The new equipment will form part of Sky Sabre, a state-of-the-art defence system that can intercept munitions and aircraft. It replaced the previous Rapier system, which had run since the 1970s. The MRAD (medium range air defence) system will be made by manufacturer MBDA in Bolton. The Government said 140 jobs will be supported by the move. The Sky Sabre system replaced the former Rapier short range air defences, pictured during a training exercise in Blackheath ahead of of the 2012 Olympics (PA/Lewis Whyld) Defence minister Luke Pollard said: 'We are delivering on the strategic defence review by equipping our armed forces with state-of-the art equipment to help keep us safe. Doubling our deployable Sky Sabre capability will strengthen the UK's air defences, protect UK forces abroad, and deter our adversaries. 'Through this investment we are supporting over 100 jobs across the UK, with more to come.' The Land Ceptor systems are able to hit a tennis-ball sized object which is travelling at twice the speed of sound. The Sky Sabre operation can control 24 missiles at one time. As part of the system, the Land Ceptors operate alongside radar and a wider command and control centre. However, they are also able to be used on their own. Sky Sabre was recently tested as part of a Nato exercise in the Outer Hebrides, the Ministry of Defence said. It has already been deployed in Poland, as part of Nato operations with on eye on Russia. Commanding Officer of the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, Lt Col James Boutle, said: 'Sky Sabre represents a step change in the UK's ground-based air defence capability. 'As the Army's most advanced air defence system, it provides a powerful shield against modern airborne threats, from fast jets to precision-guided weapons and drones. 'For 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, operating Sky Sabre is both a privilege and a responsibility – ensuring we are trained and ready to strengthen the UK's contribution to Nato when called upon. 'As part of this, we work hand-in-hand with industry partners, such as MBDA here in the UK, to continuously optimise the system to ensure it remains on the cutting edge – a collaboration that guarantees we stay ahead of adversary technology.'
