Boris Johnson Said To Visit Ukraine Before Official Resignation, Britain Prepares 1,600 Anti-Tank And 20 Howitzers For Kyiv To Face Russia

President Volodymyr Zelensky while accompanying Boris Johnson in Ukraine. (Source: President.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Resigned British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is said to be planning to visit Ukraine and meet President Volodymyr Zelensky, before officially leaving his post, the Daily Express reported, citing sources.

"He (Boris Johnson) feels the burden of responsibility, has been the biggest supporter of (President Zelensky). He can't just walk away and not make sure the world supports him, the source said, quoting TASS from the Daily Express on July 26.

"He (Johnson) hopes to see him (President Zelensky) again before he leaves office."

Last July, PM Boris Johnson promised Britain would provide another 1 billion pounds of military aid to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, according to the website Gov.uk, Britain will supply Ukraine with artillery guns, hundreds of drones, and hundreds of other anti-tank weapons in the coming weeks, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said last week.

Illustration of the M109 155mm self-propelled Howitzer. (Wikimedia Commons/Staff Sgt. Richard Wrigley)

More than 20 self-propelled M109 155mm self-propelled guns and 36 L119 105mm artillery guns will soon arrive from the UK, according to Minister Wallace. A counter-battery radar system and more than 50,000 rounds of ammunition for Ukrainian Soviet-era artillery will also follow.

This equipment will enhance the ability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend against indiscriminate use of Russian artillery. The UK will also send over 1,600 more anti-tank guns in the coming weeks, along with drones, including hundreds of roaming air munitions.

So far 6,900 NLAW, Javelin, Brimstone, and other anti-tank weapons, as well as 16,000 artillery shells, six Stormer vehicles equipped with Starstreak anti-air missile launchers, and hundreds of missiles have been delivered to Ukraine.

Previously, the UK had also supplied maritime Brimstone missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, 120 armored fighting vehicles, and a large number of non-lethal aids including more than 82,000 helmets, 8,450 sets of body armor, and more than 5,000 sets of night vision devices.

"The scale and range of the equipment we provide demonstrate the strength of our resolve. Together with our international partners, we will ensure Ukraine has the tools to defend their country against Putin's illegal invasion," Minister Wallace said.

In total, British military support and broader regional activity since the outbreak of war to £2.3 billion, or around 41,491,966,581,000, will mark a new phase in international community support.