The United Kingdom has committed to providing Ukraine with 350 ASRAAM air defense missiles worth £70 million ($95 million), funded through interest generated from seized Russian assets.

“Russia, not Ukraine, should pay the price”

 “Russia, not Ukraine, should pay the price for Putin’s barbaric and illegal war, so it is only right we use the proceeds from seized Russian assets to ensure Ukraine has the air defense it needs,” Starmer stated.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK has frozen over £25 billion ($34 billion) worth of Russian assets, including funds belonging to individuals and entities designated under the sanctions regime. These assets remain frozen, but the UK government has implemented the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) scheme, which allows the interest accrued on these frozen funds to be used for specific purposes, such as financing military aid to Ukraine.

British missiles will protect Ukrainian cities from attacks

ASRAAM air defense missiles, originally designed for air-to-air use, were rapidly adapted by British engineers to be launched from the ground via the UK-developed RAVEN mobile air defense system, which is already deployed in Ukraine. The delivery will expand Ukraine’s mobile air defense capability, helping protect against Russian missile and drone attacks on civilians. 

By June 2025, Ukraine has received and operationally deployed eight Raven systems in its air defense units, with an additional five systems confirmed for future delivery.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey also warned that diverting global focus to the Israel-Iran conflict serves Putin’s interests.

“It is crucial that we continue to focus on Ukraine,” Healey told a panel discussion at the summit. He noted that defending Ukraine remains a bipartisan issue in Britain with strong public support.

Britain develops defense amid Russia threat

The announcement comes as Britain has begun preparing for possible Russian attacks, citing increasing cases of sabotage.

Earlier, the UK has also announced plans to join NATO’s nuclear mission using F-35A fighters with nuclear capabilities. This marks the first time since the Cold War that the Royal Air Force will have a nuclear role, complementing the UK’s independent submarine-based nuclear deterrent.

On 23 June, Ukraine and the United Kingdom also launched their first joint military-industrial drone production program. This three-year “mega-project” involves Britain financing the procurement of Ukrainian-designed drones that will be produced on British soil, with all drones manufactured during the ongoing war directed to support Ukraine’s Defense Forces, however, after the war ends, the drones will be shared between the two countries.