UK to Increase Military Supplies to Ukraine – Defense Minister Fallon

LONDON (Sputnik) — The United Kingdom will increase the supply of non-lethal equipment to Ukraine, Defense Minister Michael Fallon said in London on Friday.

According to Fallon, Britain also intends to assist NATO in strengthening its combat capability. In particular, the British armed forces will participate more actively in Alliance exercises and in patrolling Baltic airspace.

On March 6, the United Kingdom pledged to provide to Ukraine a package of non-lethal military equipment, including helmets, night-vision goggles, GPS units, hardened laptops and first aid kits, worth nearly $1.3 billion. London has previously sent Kiev $1.8 billion worth of equipment, including personal protective equipment and fuel for the winter.

Last month, some 35 UK military instructors reportedly began training Ukrainian soldiers fighting against independence militias in the east of the country. UK instructors arrived in Ukraine's southern city of Mykolaiv and are expected to stay for two months, improving Ukrainian troop skills in defense and medical aid.

The military conflict between Kiev and pro-independence forces of the Donbas started April 2014 and has killed over 6,000 people, according to UN estimates. The warring sides have signed a ceasefire deal, on February 15.