BRITAIN will “step up the pressure” on Vladimir Putin in the New Year, the Defence Secretary vowed yesterday.
John Healey pledged to put Ukraine in the “strongest possible position” in 2025.
ReutersThe Defence Secretary’s pledge comes as Ukraine reported that Russia lost 12,580 troops last week, the highest toll since the conflict began in 2022, in a boost for Ukrainian troops, above[/caption]
Mr Healey told The Sun: ‘Make no mistake, this is an unhappy Christmas for Vladimir Putin’AP
His vow came as Ukraine claimed that Russia had lost 12,580 troops last week — the highest figure since fighting began in 2022.
Mr Healey’s promise includes ramping up supplies of vital maritime drones, artillery and air defences to the war-torn region.
Ahead of Donald Trump’s move to the White House next month, when the US is expected to push for a deal to end the war, Mr Healey said that if Putin succeeds in capturing Kyiv “he will not stop there”.
He warned “the defence of the UK starts in Ukraine”.
He told The Sun: “Make no mistake, this is an unhappy Christmas for Vladimir Putin.
“He ducked out of Syria with his tail between his legs.
Meanwhile, on the Ukraine front line, Putin has resorted to using North Korean troops in combat — a sign of weakness, not strength.”
In a call with President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday, PM Sir Keir Starmer pledged to help the war effort “through further sanctions on Russia, the acceleration of lethal aid, and support for Ukraine’s defence industrial base”.
This Christmas, 10,000 British troops will be deployed on 60 operations around the world.
Mr Healey added: “I know Sun readers will join me in paying tribute to all the military personnel and all the forces families — both British and Ukrainian – who will be apart this Christmas.
“We will be thinking of you. Our whole nation salutes you.”
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