Is providing air defence equipment enough to help Ukraine?

During his first visit to Kyiv last Saturday, Rishi Sunak pledged a new tranche of British military aid to Ukraine. Unlike previous UK support, this new package was entirely focused on air defence: £50 million for anti-aircraft guns (almost certainly purchased via a third party as the UK military does not currently use them), radars, and counter-drone electronic warfare systems. The Prime Minister’s pledge follows a promise made by the UK to provide an additional 1,000 anti-aircraft missiles for Ukraine’s armed forces a few weeks ago. 

It’s no mystery why air defence has become a key priority. Since October, Russian missiles and drones have pummelled Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and power plants. The attacks have left millions heading into a harsh winter without power, and more could come at any time. 

Russia is working to make attacks on civilian targets in Kyiv and western Ukraine a standard feature of the conflict. According to the Ministry of Defence, Russia is almost certainly using up their long-range missiles faster than they can produce them – but that doesn’t tell the full story.