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Mr Cleverly said the UK stands “shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine” and insisted Russia’s invasion “will fail”. He said: “Words are not enough. Words won’t keep the lights on this winter. Words won’t defend against Russian missiles.
“The UK isn’t just talking about Ukraine, we’re providing concrete support for the defence of Ukraine.”
Mr Cleverly made the trip just days after a surprise visit by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who promised the UK would continue to stand by the war-torn nation.
The Foreign Secretary headed to Kyiv to ensure the practical support it needed is in place as Russia tries to starve and freeze Ukrainians to death over the harsh winter months.
Ukraine’s power grid and other critical infrastructure has been pounded by Russian strikes, causing blackouts and leaving millions without heat, power or water as temperatures plummet to as low as minus 20C.
The UK will send 35 more emergency vehicles, including 24 ambulances and six armoured vehicles, to Ukraine.
The Foreign Secretary also announced a further £3 million for the rebuilding of local infrastructure, including schools and shelters, as well as additional funding to support survivors of sexual assault.
Mr Cleverly said: “As winter sets in, Russia is continuing to try and break Ukrainian resolve through its brutal attacks on civilians, hospitals and energy infrastructure. Russia will fail.
“The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine.
“I have today announced a package of hands-on support for our Ukrainian friends in their fight, from ambulances to crucial support for survivors of the sexual violence carried out by the Russian military.
“I’ve seen here first-hand how the UK’s efforts are helping brave citizens to resist and rebuild. Our support will continue for as long as it takes for this remarkable country to recover.”
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said he was “grateful” for Mr Cleverly’s “brave visit” and the UK’s “steadfast support” during the “difficult times” at hand.
He added: “Our shared goal is Ukraine’s victory which will restore security and stability in Europe and beyond.”
Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has hit food supplies across the world as routes for grain exports became unsafe.
Environment Secretary Therese Coffey announced £5 million for a Ukrainian-led initiative, to ensure provisions make it through to nations most at risk of famine, including Yemen and Sudan.
Ms Coffey said: “I am pleased the UK government can support President Zelenskyy’s work to help Ukraine’s grain reach some of the poorest and most vulnerable nations in the world.
“Global food security is in all our interests – and helping Ukraine’s farmers and agricultural sector to continue producing and exporting food in these most difficult of circumstances is vital for that security.
“I want Ukraine’s farmers to know that all British farmers stand shoulder to shoulder with you.”
Latest British intelligence reports say Russian troops are being compelled to serve in Ukraine while they are suffering “serious” health problems.
Moscow’s mobilised reservists are often deployed despite “inadequate” training and personal equipment, according to the Ministry of Defence.
It believes the Kremlin will be concerned that an increasing number of families are prepared to risk arrest by protesting against the conditions their relatives face at war.
An MoD defence intelligence update says many reservists “are being compelled to serve with serious, chronic health conditions”.
It also suggests there are likely to have been “particularly heavy casualties” among those committed to dig “ambitious trench systems” while under artillery fire around the city of Svatove, in the Luhansk region.
Meanwhile, reservists have been killed in “large numbers” in frontal assaults into well-established Ukrainian defensive zones in the Donetsk region, around the city of Bakhmut, it says.
“Two months after President (Vladimir) Putin announced a ‘partial mobilisation’, common themes are emerging in the experience of mobilised Russian reservists,” the update states.
“Their deployment is often characterised by confusion over eligibility for service, inadequate training and personal equipment, and commitment to highly attritional combat missions.
“Most – though not all – mobilised reservists have previously served and numerous examples suggest that reservists are highly likely not having their medical status adequately reviewed and many are being compelled to serve with serious, chronic health conditions.
“Mobilised reservists have highly likely experienced particularly heavy casualties after being committed to dig ambitious trench systems while under artillery fire around the Luhansk Oblast town of Svatove.
“In Donetsk Oblast, reservists have been killed in large numbers in frontal assaults into well-established Ukrainian defensive zones around the town of Bakhmut.
“The Kremlin will likely be concerned that an increasing number of reservists’ families are prepared to risk arrest by protesting against the conditions their relatives are serving under.”
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