Ukraine needs funding now' after Russian strikes: US envoy

The US ambassador to Kyiv on Friday said the latest Russian strikes on Ukraine showed it "needs funding now", as the White House pushes for more military aid despite opposition in Congress.

"Ukraine needs funding now to continue to fight for freedom from such horror in 2024," Bridget Brink wrote on X.

Also, UK Defence Minister Grant Shapps said Britain would send around 200 air-defence missiles to Ukraine following a deadly wave of Russian strikes.

"The UK is moving rapidly to bolster Ukraine's air defence, in the wake of Putin's murderous air strikes. Hundreds of British-made air-defence missiles are being sent to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself from Putin's barbaric bombardment," Shapps posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The missiles would restock British-gifted air defence systems capable of striking down Russian drones and missiles "with incredible accuracy", the Ministry of Defence added.

The UK-manufactured advanced short-range air-to-air missiles (ASRAAM) are designed to be launched from aircraft including the UK's Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets.

 They were "very effective yet low-cost solutions to the frontline to meet urgent requirements", with a reported hit rate of as high as 90 per cent against some Russian air targets, the ministry statement said.  "Ukrainian operators have become adept at their usage and have asked for more missiles to protect their country," it added.