Latvia to send Stinger missile system and dry food supplies to Ukraine The news

Riga / Vilnius, January 21, LETA – BNS. In response to Russia’s aggressive actions, Latvia will send the Stinger air defense missile system, individual equipment and dry food supplies to Ukraine, the Latvian Defense Ministry’s (AM) Press Department informed LETA.

In response to Russia’s aggressive actions, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are united in their commitment to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Baltic States will continue to support Ukraine not only diplomatically and politically, but also by strengthening Ukraine’s self-defense capabilities.

Given Russia’s intensified military pressure on Ukraine and its borders, the Baltic states have decided to respond to Ukraine’s needs and provide additional defense assistance. This assistance will further strengthen Ukraine’s ability to protect its territory and population in the event of possible Russian aggression, AM said.

By strengthening the military capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Latvia and Lithuania will provide the Stinger air defense missile system and the necessary equipment. Latvia will also send individual equipment and dry food. In turn, Estonia will provide anti-tank missile systems “Javelin”.

“We sincerely hope that Ukraine will not have to use this armament. The Baltic states are calling on Russia to end its aggressive and irresponsible actions,” said Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvīds Anušausks.

Lithuania also plans to make portable thermal imagers available to Ukraine’s Special Forces. The draft government decision prepared by the Ministry of Defense provides for the transfer of 24 thermovisual devices currently owned by the Lithuanian Armed Forces to the Ukrainian army free of charge. Their residual value exceeds 342,000 euros.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and their allies are cooperating to provide operational support to Ukraine in strengthening its defense.

The Baltic states hope that Ukraine will not need to use this equipment and calls on Russia to stop its aggressive and irresponsible actions.

It has already been reported that, given legitimate concerns and the need to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities, the Baltic defense ministers already at a meeting in Lithuania at the end of last year emphasized their immediate readiness to provide non-military and military support to Ukraine, including arms supplies.

In recent months, there has been an intensification of Russian forces at Ukraine’s borders. The US and the EU have threatened Russia with strong economic sanctions if it attacks Ukraine.

Stinger is one of the most manufactured, most tested and most effective individual air defense systems in combat conditions, which is also used by many of Latvia’s allied countries, such as the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway and Lithuania.

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