Ukraine War: UK sends ambulances and mass casualty training as Russia continues its invasion | World News
Boris Johnson announced Britain is sending more ambulances and more funding to train Ukrainian doctors to deal with mass casualties.
Many fire engines and medical supplies are also being donated to Ukraine as part of the government’s continued support for the country more than two months later Russia invaded for the first time.
As part of his support, the prime minister announced 22 new ambulances would be sent to Ukraine, in addition to the 20 NHS trusts sent three weeks ago.
They will be equipped with first aid kits and medical bags and will be on their way to Ukraine in the coming days.
Bashtanka hospital in southern Ukraine was attacked last week
More than 135 attacks on medical facilities
Kyiv has requested ambulances, medical supplies and mass rescue training as there have been more than 135 attacks on medical facilities since the invasion began on 24 February.
The United Nations has recorded about 4,800 civilian casualties in the nearly nine weeks since the Russian invasion, of which 2,072 died and 2,818 were injured. Actual figures are expected to be much higher.
Medical aid charity UK-Med will receive a grant of up to £300,000 from the Foreign Office to help train Ukrainian doctors, nurses and paramedics on how to deal with daily casualties. series.
The charity will set up mobile medical stations to assist the most vulnerable civilians who have not yet left Ukraine.
£300,000 worth of medicines and pharmaceutical supplies are also being donated to charity by the UK government – enough to support a hospital for up to six weeks.
Situation in eastern Ukraine on the day of war 61
In the main developments:
- Eight people were killed in Russian shelling in the Donetsk region
- Russia claims to have destroyed oil refinery and fuel depot in Dnipro
- Ukraine says no agreed evacuation route for Mariupol
- Putin congratulates Emmanuel Macron on his re-election
- A total of 21,900 Russian soldiers have been killed in the conflict so far, according to the Ukrainian armed forces.
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Inside the destroyed Ukrainian hospital
Fire truck arrives in Ukraine
Downing Street said two convoys of more than 40 fire engines had arrived in Ukraine, the largest firepower deployment ever to leave the UK.
Equipment was donated with the fire truck, including incident response equipment loaded with PPE, special rescue vehicle with rescue equipment packages, thermal imaging camera to search for victims, generator electricity, about 300 fire hydrants, floating nets, nearly 10,000 sets of protective clothing, compressed air breathing apparatus and fire fighting clothing.
More than 100 fire stations and 250 fire engines have been destroyed in Ukraine since the invasion began.
Firefighters battle a fire at a hospital in Lyman, Donetsk region, after it was bombed by Russia last week. Photo: Donetsk State Regional Police
Mr Johnson said: “We are all appalled by the grisly images of hospitals deliberately targeted by Russia since the invasion began more than two months ago.
“The new ambulances, fire engines and funding for medical professionals announced today will better equip the Ukrainian people for vital health care and save lives.
“Together with our military support, we will help strengthen Ukraine’s ability to ensure Putin’s brutal invasion fails.”
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Resistance to occupation in Lysychansk
Seven million internally displaced people
The UK has provided around £400 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since the war began and has pledged up to $1 billion in loan guarantees to support multilateral development banks, for example. such as the World Bank, to support the Ukrainian economy and help the government provide basic services.
UK-Med CEO David Wightwick, who is based in eastern Ukraine, said: “I have seen firsthand the devastating impact of this devastating war.
“Ensuring more than seven million migrants across the country have access to vital primary health care is and will continue to be of paramount importance for many months to come.
“This very welcome funding from the UK government will allow us to continue to deliver specialist training in primary and life-saving health care in both the east and west of the country. , reaching those who need it most.
“We are proud to stand in solidarity with the people and with our Ukrainian medical colleagues during this desperate time.”
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