Starmer in final Kyiv visit: Ukraine will win this war; funding for 16 Gripen jets
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, on his last official trip to Kyiv, expressed confidence in Ukraine's victory and announced €300 million for Swedish Gripen jets. Meanwhile, protests erupted after Zelenskyy dismissed defense minister Fedorov, and at least 12 civilians were killed in attacks.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday, his final full day in office, and stated his belief that Ukraine will win the war against Russia. In an interview with Sky News, Starmer praised Ukraine's armed forces as "probably the most effective fighting machine in Europe" for their modern warfare capabilities. He emphasized that the UK's resolve would remain unchanged after the incoming prime minister takes over.
Starmer also announced €300 million in funding to deliver a squadron of 16 advanced Swedish Gripen jets to Ukraine by 2029. The aircraft are capable of air-to-air combat, ground strikes, and reconnaissance.
In Kyiv, protests continued following Zelenskyy's dismissal of popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Over 1,000 demonstrators gathered outside the presidential office, supporting Fedorov, who was seen as an innovator in drone technology but had clashed with traditional military leadership. Zelenskyy defended his decision, confirming a breakdown in relations between the ministry and top army commanders. His backing of Armed Forces Commander Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi has angered civil society.
The personnel reshuffle, which also included replacing the prime minister, may test Zelenskyy's political authority as the war approaches four and a half years. Elections are banned under martial law, but Zelenskyy periodically reshuffles the government.
On the battlefield, at least 12 civilians were killed on Thursday. A Russian guided bomb attack on Zaporizhzhia killed three and wounded 15; missile strikes on Odesa killed two and injured six; drone attacks near Kharkiv and Kupiansk killed four; one died in Donetsk region. In Russia's Belgorod region, local officials reported one death from Ukrainian shelling.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) condemned the killing of the chief engineer of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in a drone strike. Russia blamed Ukraine, but Kyiv called the accusations baseless and said Moscow provided no evidence. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said the incident was an unacceptable attack on the plant, seriously threatening nuclear safety.
