UK Prime Minister visits wounded Ukrainian soldiers during Kyiv trip

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited a military hospital in Kyiv during a trip marking Ukraine's Independence Day, meeting with wounded Ukrainian soldiers. He shared details of the visit on social media, according to Yevropeiska Pravda.

Burnham said he met with Ukrainian servicemen being treated at a military hospital supported by a UK charity, which has trained more than 1,000 surgeons, anaesthetists and other healthcare workers. He stressed that Britain's support for Ukraine is unwavering and said he was glad to witness that support in person.

Visit to a destroyed neighbourhood and music with soldiers

A Bloomberg political editor published photos of Burnham visiting the Lukyanivka area of Kyiv, where a shopping centre was destroyed in a massive Russian missile and drone attack in May. The editor also shared footage of Burnham being handed an electric guitar by a Ukrainian soldier and playing part of a Smiths song. Burnham said music helps lift spirits on the frontline, and soldiers from the Cultural Forces group performed for him as well.

New agreements and coalition meeting

During the visit, Burnham announced the transfer to Ukraine of technology for producing Storm Shadow missiles. The two sides also signed a bilateral agreement on cooperation in artificial intelligence.

On 24 August, Kyiv also hosted a meeting of the "coalition of the willing", attended by some leaders in person and others remotely. A joint statement was published following the meeting.