Members of the Ukrainian government visited Salisbury Plain yesterday for discussions, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.

Yesterday (Thursday April 7), a delegation from the Ukraine government met with the MoD at Salisbury Plain Training Area.

Demonstrations were held of UK equipment, followed by discussions on how the UK can supply Ukraine with aid and their equipment requirements as they continue to defend against Russia.

Attending the talks were Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Volodymyr Havrylov and senior Ukrainian military officers, visiting the UK on behalf of President Zelenskyy.  

They met with MP Jeremy Quin, Minister for Defence Procurement, and MP James Heappey, Armed Forces Minister.

The visit involved demonstrations of a range of equipment by British Army’s 3rd Division and Royal Marines.

The equipment included defensive missile systems and protected mobility vehicles.

The event also discussed new weapons that have been trialled recently with UK forces.

The Ministry of Defence says the Ukrainian delegation observed the Starstreak air defence system, which the UK has already provided and trained Ukrainian Armed Forces to use to defend their airspace from Russian aggression.

The Government's Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said: “Ukraine’s Armed Forces continue to put up a tenacious fight against the illegal and unprovoked invasion by Putin’s forces. We’re proud that they’re doing so with weapons provided by and through the United Kingdom.

“But the Ukrainian job is far from done and the Prime Minister has directed that the UK provides even more in support of this next phase of the conflict. It was an honour to show Minister Havrylov and his generals the kit the UK hopes to provide next and to discuss some new weapons that have been trialled recently with UK forces.”

Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin said: “The UK has been clear of our support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s invasion.

“We are exploring options for future military support, including working with the UK Defence industry and our Ukrainian counterparts into the longer term to ensure the equipment supplied continues to be both effective and sustainable for their heroic armed forces.”

Get more Salisbury news. 

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date, as well as signing up for one of our newsletters.

If you want online news with fewer ads, unlimited access and reader rewards - plus a chance to support our local journalism - find out more about registering or a digital subscription.

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.