David Cameron backs Ukraine attacks on Russian territory with UK weapons

Lord David Cameron has backed Ukrainian strikes against targets inside Russia using British-supplied weapons.

The foreign secretary said it was a decision for Ukraine how to use the supplied equipment and Kyiv “absolutely has the right” to strike back at Russia.

The UK has supplied billions of pounds of equipment including long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Volodymyr Zelensky’s forces.

On a visit to Kyiv, Lord Cameron said: “In terms of what the Ukrainians do, in our view, it is their decision about how to use these weapons, they’re defending their country, they were illegally invaded by Putin and they must take those steps.

“We don’t discuss any caveats that we put on those things. But let’s be absolutely clear, Russia has launched an attack into Ukraine and Ukraine absolutely has the right to strike back at Russia.”

Asked if that included targets inside Russia, he said: “That’s a decision for Ukraine and Ukraine has that right. Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can quite understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure it’s defending itself, it’s getting the Russians out of its country and it has the ability to strike back.”

Lord Cameron visited Ukraine following the Government’s announcement that it will commit to at least £3bn a year in military support to the country.

The Foreign Secretary met Mr Zelensky in Kyiv to reiterate the UK’s support.

It comes after the Government’s commitment to spend at least 2.5% of GDP on defence.

In Kyiv, Lord Cameron announced that the UK’s donation of military equipment would include the provision of precision-guided bombs, and air defence missiles and equipment for 100 mobile air defence teams to enable Ukraine to shoot down Russia’s drones and missiles.

He also confirmed a £36m package of support, including £20m in new emergency funding following Russia’s recent attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure.