Boris Johnson wants to give Ukraine anti-ship missiles to target and destroy Russian warships and save ‘Pearl of the Black Sea’ Odessa from a brutal amphibious assault by Putin’s troops
- PM told ministers he wants Ukraine to be sent anti-ship missiles to save Odessa
- Britain has been sending anti-tank weapons since before February invasion
- Zelensky wants anti-ship missiles, including Harpoon used by Royal Navy
Boris Johnson wants Ukraine armed with anti-ship missiles to blow Vladimir Putin’s Black Sea fleet out of the water and save the historic city of Odessa.
The Prime Minister has told his Cabinet he wanted to kit out Kyiv’s navy and coastal defenses in the same way Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces have been supplied with British anti-tank weapons.
Odessa, known as the jewel or pearl of the Black Sea, has been preparing for an amphibious attack by Russian marines for weeks. It has a population of a million people and is a major import/export hub.
Britain has been sending anti-tank weapons including the NLAW (next-generation light anti-tank weapons) missile since before the invasion.
But Zelensky has asked for anti-ship weapons, including the Harpoon missiles used by the Royal Navy.
A source told the Sunday Times: ‘We anticipated this mass column of tanks coming across what is a very flat expanse of landscape and that Kyiv would be taken in three days. The NLAWs stopped that.
‘That bit of the war is not over but it’s parked. They’re now concentrating on the south. The next target is Odesa. It’s not tanks which are going to come at Odesa. It’s going to be ships. NLAWs don’t work against ships, so what does? They want the kind of stuff that can take out ships.
‘The PM is eager and determined to help find that. We don’t have everything they need for the next stage but we have become the default co-ordinator of other countries.’
The Prime Minister has told his Cabinet he wanted to kit out Kyiv’s small navy and coastal defenses in the same way Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces have been supplied with British anti-tank weapons.
Odessa, known as the jewel or pearl of the Black Sea, has been preparing for an amphibious attack by Russian marines for weeks. It has a population of a million people.
But Zelensky has asked for anti-ship weapons, including the Harpoon missiles used by the Royal Navy.
Mr Johnson spoke with the Ukrainian president again last night.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: ‘He congratulated Ukraine’s brave armed forces for successfully pushing back Russia’s invading army in a number of areas, but recognised the huge challenges that remain and the immense suffering being inflicted on civilians.’
The Prime Minister updated Mr Zelensky on the progress made at the recent military donor conference, convened by the UK with 35 countries, No 10 said, and ‘committed to continue to step up defensive support’.
The spokesperson added: ‘President Zelensky underscored the urgency of Ukraine’s fight for its survival as a free and democratic nation, and the importance of international assistance.
‘President Zelensky also updated on the status on peace negotiations and welcomed further UK involvement in these diplomatic efforts. Both leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to ratchet up sanctions to increase the economic pressure on (Vladimir) Putin’s war machine, so long as Russian troops remain on Ukrainian territory.
‘They committed to remain in close contact and speak again in the coming days.’
The UK has blocked the use of another jet with links to Russian oligarchs, the Transport Secretary said, as part of efforts to crack down on those who have benefited from Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Grant Shapps did not provide further details of the aircraft, or its ownership, but said the move was taken on Saturday morning.
He added that the UK ‘won’t stand by and watch those who’ve made millions through Putin’s patronage live their lives in peace as innocent blood is shed’.
It comes after the grounding of a private jet with possible links to Russia on March 19.
In that incident, the Cessna aircraft was blocked from taking off from London Biggin Hill Airport while it was investigated to see whether it fell foul of sanctions banning all Russian-linked aircraft.
On March 8, a private jet suspected of being linked to a Russian oligarch was impounded at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire hours before it was due to fly to Dubai.
The aircraft was detained on the orders of Mr Shapps to enable an investigation into its connection with billionaire oil tycoon Eugene Shvidler, a friend of Roman Abramovich.
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