The Defence Secretary has announced that the UK will provide a new package of non-lethal equipment to the Ukrainian armed forces. Five high-priority items will be gifted that will provide immediate benefit and help save lives.

These items are: 2,000 Mark 6 helmets,150 helmet-mounted monocular night vision goggles (MNVGs), 200 global positioning units (GPS), 220 hardened laptops,1,000 first aid kits.

The total value of this package is approximately £850,000, including transportation and contingency costs.

The package has been provided in response to requests from the Ukrainian Government. It is due to be delivered to Ukrainian Armed Forces over the coming weeks and is designed to increase Ukraine's defensive capacity and awareness of tactical situations on the ground.

The package is being provided alongside other short term training activities, which were previously announced by the Prime Minister. These will be delivered by UK military personnel to the Ukrainians in-country.

This support is in addition to ongoing Defence engagement activities with Ukraine. They include support on crisis management, anti-corruption, Defence reform and strategic communications. The MOD will also be delivering procurement training in the coming weeks. Over the last year the UK has provided personal protective equipment, winter fuel, medical kits, winter clothing and sleeping bags to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This prior support totals more than £1.2 million and is separate to today's announcement.

UK policy since the start of the crisis has been to provide non-lethal assistance to Ukrainian armed forces, in line with HMG's assessment that there must be a political solution to this crisis. The MOD will continue to focus on support and assistance that will reduce fatalities and casualties amongst members of the Ukrainian armed forces, whilst building their capacity and resilience.

THE following are being specially remembered at Bradford Cathedral this week: Bryan Samuel, Geoffrey Saunders, Noel Frank Scaife, John Varley Schofield, Stanley Schofield, Arthur Scott, Philip Ronald Scott, Fountain Scully, Colin Shackleton, Oswald John Lucius Hird Sharp, Denis Northouse Shearer, Ernest Shepherd, Harold Shepherd, John Shepherd, William Shorten, Charles Denis Shuttleworth, Frederick Victor Siddle, Jack Simpson, Harry Simpson, John Skirrow, Clifford Simpson, George William Simpson, James Alfred Silson, Eric William Skelton, Ernest Shepherd.

DIARY DATES

Thursday: The Royal British Legion, Guiseley Branch, meets at 14.0hrs at h Guide Hut, The Green, Guiseley.

Sunday: The Bradford Branch, Royal Engineers Association, meets at 11.00hrs at Sir Titus Salts at 11.00hrs.

Tuesday: The Royal Naval Association meets at 0.00rs at Feversham Street Sea Cadets Headquarters.