HELP REPEL DARKNESS

OVER the past weeks, we’ve witnessed atrocities against Ukrainian civilians.

We’ve not seen the like since the Second World War as children and adults are tortured, raped and murdered.

Moscow has made it clear they are fully committed to destroying the Ukrainian nation and absorbing it into their dark empire.

We can’t ask the Ukrainian people to submit to such evil any more than we would submit in 1940.

So, what can be done to defeat Russia and bring an end to the suffering of innocent people? The UK has done quite a lot, but far more needs to be done.

As Ukraine repels the next Russian offensive and goes on to the counterattack, we need to provide more and heavier arms and equipment, while continuing to tighten economic sanctions.

Here are the weapons that Ukraine needs the most:

Long range air defence – Ukrainians have a few Soviet-era systems that are progressively being destroyed and if NATO won’t do it, the Ukrainians need to create their own ground based no fly zone.

Heavy artillery (155mm and higher) – these are necessary to counterattack against the Russian seized positions inside Ukraine and provide counter-battery fire.

Aircraft – while ground based air defences can help neutralize the Russian bombers, missiles and drones, more aircraft will be necessary for close air support of counterattack operations.

Anti-ship missiles – the Russian offensive on Odesa and Mariupol relies almost entirely on naval resupply and disrupting those supply lines is necessary for the Ukrainian Army to defend its coastal cities.

Modern western and Soviet tanks – to help expel Russian forces from the occupied territories, we should provide Ukraine with Russian/Soviet tanks in the short term, as Ukrainian soldiers are familiar with these.

The medium-term goal should be to move towards German Leopard or US M1 tanks.

Please help Ukraine to do more, before darkness falls over Ukrainian people.

Timothy Burling via email