UK sends largest batch of firefighting equipment to Ukraine since 2022

This is reported by The Telegraph.

“The 33 vehicles, including 20 fire engines – the largest convoy of its kind to date – left Kent on Tuesday morning carrying more than 2,800 pieces of equipment such as ladders, boats and breathing kits to the war-torn country,” the publication says.

The logistics of the convoy were organized by the UK Home Office. It involved more than 100 volunteers from 15 fire services who donated equipment, as well as the Fire Aid organization.

In an op-ed for The Telegraph, Chris Philp, a Home Office minister, policing and the fire service, said the equipment is vital for Ukraine's "heroic firefighters," 91 of whom gave their lives during the war to help rescue war victims.

“Putin is intentionally targeting civilians and civilian buildings in Ukraine, leading to unprecedented demands on the fire and rescue services that respond to these attacks,” he said. The fact the Ukrainian fire and rescue services have been able to respond to this number of incidents while suffering significant losses of personnel and equipment, is staggering,” he said.

It is noted that since the beginning of the war, 396 fire stations and almost 1,700 fire trucks have been destroyed. Almost 350 firefighters have been wounded, and five are in Russian captivity.

“Ukraine must win this war and we must never waver in our support for them. However big or small the act, we will do what it takes to help Ukraine achieve victory – as all civilized countries must,” said Mr Philp.

• On April 6, State Emergency Service spokesman Oleksandr Khorunzhyi reported that 91 employees have been killed and 348 rescuers have been injured since the start of Russia's large-scale invasion.
• The day before, it was reported that the British prime minister would visit Poland on April 23 to announce the largest package of military aid to Ukraine, worth GBP 500 million.