Today we have announced that the number of personnel held on high readiness as part of the COVID Support Force, established to support public services in the response to the #coronavirus outbreak, has been reduced from 20,000 to 7,500. #InThisTogether
The COVID Support Force will continue to support the UK’s response to the #coronavirus outbreak. It will provide support to public services when requested, including delivering PPE and supporting the national testing effort. #InThisTogether
This week, the COVID Support Force will deliver testing kits to care homes using 20 specially-designated vehicles. Troops have so far delivered more than 29,000 kits to 190 facilities. #coronavirus#InThisTogether
The COVID Support Force was established in late March. Since then approximately 20,000 personnel have been held at high readiness, with around 4,000 personnel deployed on any given day and 162 MACA requests (Military Assistance to Civilian Authorities) answered. #InThisTogether
Click the link to find out more about the work of the COVID Support Force 👇
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)