The United Kingdom is set to provide Ukraine with £4.5 million in funding to assist in identifying and prosecuting Russian war criminals, reinforcing the UK's steadfast support for Kyiv.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized the importance of accountability for atrocities committed during the ongoing conflict, stating:
“The horrors we have witnessed in Ukraine are unimaginable. There can be no lasting peace without justice, and the UK’s support will empower Ukraine in its pursuit of accountability for victims and survivors of these heinous crimes.”
Since the onset of Russia’s invasion in 2022, forces under President Vladimir Putin have faced widespread accusations, including deliberate targeting of civilians, attacks on hospitals and infrastructure, indiscriminate shelling of densely populated areas, forced deportations, sexual violence, and torture of prisoners of war.
The funding will enhance Ukraine's ability to collect evidence and build legal cases against alleged perpetrators. This initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian prosecutors, law enforcement, and judiciary in handling complex investigations.
So far, UK support has facilitated training for hundreds of Ukrainian police officers, investigators, prosecutors, and judges, equipping them with the skills to tackle these challenging cases.
During a visit to Kyiv, Mr. Lammy commended the resilience of the Ukrainian people, saying:
“While in Kyiv, I witnessed the extraordinary courage of Ukrainians firsthand. I am incredibly proud of the assistance this government continues to provide as they resist Russia’s illegal invasion. Our commitment is unwavering: we will stand with you in war, in peace, and in your fight for security—both for Ukraine and for Europe as a whole.”
This announcement follows Mr. Lammy’s call for increased NATO military support for Ukraine and his condemnation of Russia’s “inhuman” attacks, including the Christmas Day shelling of civilian targets in Kharkiv. Photo by Ukrinform TV / Ukrainian Armed Forces, Wikimedia commons.