- Impose more sanctions on prominent Russian figures, military leaders
- As Spain host 30,000 Ukrainian refugees
- Figure may rise to 70,000 within days
The United Kingdom (UK) government says more than five million (5m) items of medical supplies have been given to Ukraine since the Russian invasion of the country began about a month now.
The government claimed the items are helping to save tens of thousands of Ukrainian lives across the war-torn country.
Confirmed reports indicate that since the invasion was launched, 13 flights carrying ventilators and other medical supplies have left the UK.
Also, lifesaving medicines, intensive care equipment and wound packs have been donated to the Ukrainians by NHS England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The UK’s Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, has said; “The appalling atrocities inflicted on the Ukrainians by Putin’s evil attacks are causing untold misery to millions of people.
“The invasion has created a medical emergency and the UK has acted swiftly to give our Ukrainian friends the medical support they need which has helped save tens of thousands of lives.”
On her part, the Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, said: “The UK is continuing to play a leading role in the response to Russia’s unprovoked attacks on the Ukrainian people, with UK aid supplies flowing into Ukraine and its border regions.
“From medicines and equipment, to food, generators, blankets and hygiene kits, we are working with the government of Ukraine, our trusted humanitarian partners and friends in the region to help those most in need.”
Truss also spoke about the imposition of further sanctions on prominent Russian figures and military leaders, including Sergey Brilev, a propagandist who owns the Russia Today (RT) news channel.
Other Russian figures facing sanctions include Aleksandr Zharov, Chief Executive of Gazprom-Media; Alexey Nikolov – the Managing Director of RT and Anton Anisimov, the head of Sputnik International Broadcasting while Col-Gen Mikhail Mizintsev, dubbed “the butcher of Mariupol”, is also among the 14 new additions to the sanctions list.
Commenting on the sanctions, Truss said: “Putin’s war on Ukraine is based on a torrent of lies. Britain has helped lead the world in exposing Kremlin disinformation, and this latest batch of sanctions hits the shameless propagandists who push out Putin’s fake news and narratives.
“We will keep on going with more sanctions to ramp up the pressure on Russia and ensure Putin loses in Ukraine. Nothing and no one is off the table.”
Meanwhile, the number of Ukrainian refugees who have been officially registered in Spain has now reached nearly 30,000.
According to the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, the number of registered refugees would likely rise to 70,000 in the next few days as the humanitarian crisis worsens in the East European nation. – Agency reports
