USVs, small boats and drones part of new British $286m defence package for Ukraine

Britain on Thursday said it would send an additional 225 million pounds ($286 million) of military equipment to Ukraine to help it in the war against Russia.

Ukraine has urged allies to bolster it both on the battlefield and diplomatically before any potential talks with Russia. As the war approaches its third year, Ukrainian troops are weary and outnumbered along a 1,170-kilometre (727-mile) frontline.

The package includes 92 million pounds for equipment to bolster Ukraine’s navy, including small boats, reconnaissance drones, uncrewed surface vessels, loitering munitions and mine countermeasure drones.

Britain also said it would offer more military training to Ukraine.

"The brave people of Ukraine continue to defy all expectations with their unbreakable spirit," British defence minister John Healey said in a statement. "But they cannot go it alone – which is why the UK will step up our international leadership on Ukraine throughout 2025."

(Reporting by William James; editing by Jonathan Oatis)