As part of the new COVID Support Force around 10,000 of our military personnel will be placed at a higher readiness, ready to support public services when required. This is in addition to the 10,000 personnel we already have on high readiness. #CovidSupportForce#InThisTogether
150 military personnel will begin specialist training on Monday to help support the NHS by driving oxygen tankers, if required. #CovidSupportForce#InThisTogether
We have measures in place to ensure we have enough personnel ready to assist when necessary. This includes enabling the call out of Reservists from @RoyalNavy , @BritishArmy & @RoyalAirForce should they be required to join the response effort. #CovidSupportForce#InThisTogether
Between the 18-19 November 2023 Russia launched around 50 Iranian-designed Shahed one way-attack uncrewed aerial vehicles, primarily towards Kyiv. These were launched in waves on two axes – from the Kursk to the east, and from Krasnodar to the south-east. (1/4)
One of Russia’s objectives was likely to degrade Ukraine’s air defences, to shape the battlespace ahead of any concerted winter campaign of strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. (2/4)
(1/5) As of late October 2023, large elements of the Wagner Group private military company had likely been assimilated into the command structure of Russia’s National Guard (Rosgvardiya) and resumed active recruitment.
(2/5) This Wagner arm under Rosgvardiya is likely led by Pavel Prigozhin, son of the late Wagner owner Yevgeny Prigozhin.
(1/5) Over the past three weeks, Russia has likely lost around 200 armoured vehicles during its assaults on the Donbas town of Avdiivka.
(2/5) This is likely due to a combination of relative effectiveness of Ukraine’s modern hand-held anti-armour weapons, mines, uncrewed aerial vehicle-dropped munitions, and precision artillery systems.
(1/5) Recent Russian assaults in Avdiivka have contributed to a 90% increase in Russian casualties recorded by the Ukrainian MoD.
(2/5) Since February 2022, Russia has significantly increased its force footprint on the ground in Ukraine by intensifying recruitment using financial incentives and the partial mobilisation conducted in Autumn 2022.
The UK is committed to our relationship with the Philippines and we’re increasing our maritime engagement with the nation to support peace and security in the Indo-Pacific. Defence Minister Baroness Goldie visited the country this week (1/4)
HMS SPEY, part of our permanent presence in the region, has been taking part in Exercise SAMA SAMA, and the Minister visited the ship and met the crew onboard to find out about their experiences and cooperation with regional partners. (2/4)
Discussing Filipino priorities and shared security concerns, the Minister met with Philippine Navy and Coastguard. The Minister also met Secretary of National Defence Gilbert Teodoro, Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Arthuro Cordura and Rear Admiral Caesar Valencia. (3/4)
(1/6) Since suffering a series of strikes in August and September, the Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) has highly likely doubled down on its defensive and reactive posture.
(2/6) It has relocated many of its prestige assets – including cruise missile capable ships and submarines – from Sevastopol to operating and basing areas further east, such as Novorossiysk.