Ukraine: UK 'leading the way' in supplying anti-air weapons to counter Russian jets
The Defence Secretary has said the UK was leading the way in supplying Ukraine with anti-air weapons to counter Russian jets.
Ben Wallace told BBC Radio 4's Today: "There are two ways to achieve a no-fly zone. One is the way that Britain has led the way in, which is arming the Ukrainians with anti-air capabilities, from the ground to the air."
It has previously been confirmed that the UK was supplying anti-tank weapons to the Ukrainians but officials have been reluctant to publicly state what other arms have been supplied.
The Defence Secretary added: "And the reason they [Russia] are doing the bombing at night is because they can't – because of those weapon systems – the Russians cannot fly much in the day."
Last week Russian tanks were confirmed destroyed by the NLAW (next-generation light anti-armour weapon) provided by the UK.
A reported 300 fixed-wing Russian aircraft have been massed around Ukraine - air strikes have been expected but attacks have been limited to missile and artillery strikes.
Watch: Why aren't Russia's air force flying over Ukraine?
Meanwhile, Mr Wallace rejected calls for RAF jets to enforce a no-fly zone, warning it would trigger a Europe-wide conflict and could also hamper the Ukrainian forces' ability to counter Russia's military.
As well as mentioning the potential Article Five triggering of NATO from the actual enforcement of a no-fly zone he added the possible disadvantage to Ukraine.
Mr Wallace told Sky News: "A no-fly zone would also have to apply to Ukrainian jets, meaning they could not target Russian forces from the air.
"If you had a no-fly zone in Ukraine, the overwhelming scale of the Russian army would be able to drive around with impunity, which it can't at the moment."
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