Victorious news on 504th day of war: Ukrainian forces to get NASAMS and 1,000 microdrones, while NATO guarantees Ukraine weapons, training and intelligence

NATO’s security guarantees for Ukraine 

The G7 countries have agreed on a joint declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine. These include weapons, training and intelligence.

The G7 security guarantees for Ukraine will include the supply of modern military equipment for land, air and sea, training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, intelligence sharing and assistance in cyber defence.

It is noted that in exchange for security guarantees, Kyiv will undertake to carry out reforms, including the judicial system and civilian control over the army. Non-G7 countries are also encouraged to make their own security commitments to Ukraine. Western diplomats say that security commitments will help Ukraine liberate territory occupied by Russia and modernise its army. They will also help Kyiv ensure that support will continue regardless of political changes in Western capitals.

Amanda Sloat, Senior Director for Europe at the US National Security Council, said that the guarantees "will help Ukraine build a military that can defend itself and deter future attacks".

The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, noted that the agreed declaration is a great result, which was preceded by many months of work by the team at the level of national security advisers from the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, as well as in communication with other partners.

The key thesis of the declaration is the confirmation that Ukraine's security is an integral part of the security of the Euro-Atlantic region. This thesis is reinforced by the reference to Ukraine's future membership in NATO

Norway to provide Ukraine with 1,000 micro drones and NASAMS air defence systems

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence has announced that it will provide Ukraine with two NASAMS air defence systems and 1,000 of Black Hornet microdrones, which are useful for reconnaissance in urban combat.

"The operational results of NASAMS mean that air defence in general and NASAMS in particular are very desirable for the Ukrainian side," said Norwegian Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram. 

The Defence Minister also said that Ukraine will receive 1,000 sets of reconnaissance drones that have successfully proven themselves on the battlefield.

New military support package worth $65 million from the UK

The UK government will provide Ukraine with $64.7 million in military assistance. This support will include the supply of repair equipment and the establishment of a military rehabilitation centre.

The UK government's funding package will include: additional Challenger 2 ammunition, more than 70 pieces of military and logistical equipment, including combat reconnaissance tracked vehicles, and a rehabilitation centre to help Ukrainian soldiers who have been injured in the fighting.

Japan to provide Ukraine with drone detection systems

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said during a speech at the NATO summit that his country would donate a UAV detection system to Ukraine as part of its assistance to the country amid the war with Russia.

In March, Kishida visited Ukraine and told President Zelenskyy that Japan would provide $30 million in aid for non-lethal defence equipment through a NATO trust fund. This fund will be used to transfer the drone detection system.

Training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s to start in August

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte have agreed to start training Ukrainian pilots in August.

"We agreed to start training pilots in August. We are approaching a decision on modern aviation for Ukraine," the statement said. The two countries also agreed on a "concrete contribution" from the Netherlands to strengthen Ukraine's air defence and artillery.  

Ukraine hopes to receive the first modern American F-16 fighters in autumn 2023

Ukrainian Armed Forces strike at the hotel where Russian occupiers were staying in Berdiansk

According to the General Staff, in the temporarily occupied Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia region, as a result of a direct hit on the Duna hotel, overnight trucks were actively transporting the bodies of Russian servicemen to the local morgue.

In addition, the defence forces' aviation carried out 6 strikes on areas where enemy personnel, weapons and military equipment were concentrated and 2 on enemy anti-aircraft missile systems. Missile and artillery units struck 1 command post, 16 artillery pieces at firing positions, 4 anti-aircraft missile systems and 2 enemy electronic warfare stations over the course of the day.