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Canada to donate over 800 drones to Ukraine

20.02.2024 11:30
Canada has pledged to donate more than 800 drones to Ukraine to help protect the war-torn country from Russian attacks.
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Pixabay LicenseImage by José Miguel from Pixabay

Defence Minister Bill Blair announced on Monday that Canada would donate "more than 800 SkyRanger R70 multi-mission Unmanned Aerial Systems" to Ukraine.

These drones, valued at over CAD 95 million (USD 70 million), "will help Ukraine as it fights bravely to defend itself amongst Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable full-scale invasion," the Canadian defence ministry said in a statement.

It added that Canada was "working with Ukraine on a training plan and delivery schedule, with delivery expected to begin this spring."

As the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, these drones will address some of Ukraine’s most urgent defensive needs, according to the Canadian defence ministry.

Since February 2022, Canada has committed over CAD 2.4 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, the Canadian defence ministry also said.

This includes Leopard 2 main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 howitzers and associated ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, and winter clothing, it added.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, starting the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.

Tuesday is day 727 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

(gs)

Source: PAP, ukrinform.netcanada.ca