A fleet of the UK's National Health Service (NHS) ambulances will provide urgent care for those injured in Ukraine in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the UK government said on Wednesday.
The donation of around 20 NHS ambulances is aimed at bringing vital lifesaving care to Ukrainians remaining in towns and cities reported to be facing Russian bombardments.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said its donation will help replace those Ukrainian ambulances lost in attacks and bolster resilience as the "barbaric" conflict goes on.
"We have sadly seen day after day the horrific impacts of Putin's cruel war on the people of Ukraine, including evidence of appalling acts by Russian troops in towns such as Irpin and Bucha," said UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
"The UK has been among the biggest aid donors, providing food, medicines and generators to help those affected. These world class NHS ambulances will now help bring lifesaving care directly to those injured in the conflict," she said.
The South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) is donating four of its ambulances, with further donations from NHS trusts across the UK to follow.
"The UK government has stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and provided them with the lifesaving medical equipment they need," said UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
"The invasion has damaged key medical infrastructure and the generous donation of four ambulances by South Central Ambulance Service will ensure people in Ukraine can receive urgent care. It marks the first of many ambulances the UK government and the NHS is donating to Ukraine in the coming days," he said.
The first set of ambulances will arrive in Ukraine this week, destined for Lviv in the west of the country, where they will be transported on to those areas most in need.
"Ambulance Trusts around the country have been rallying to provide ambulances and we in SCAS are immensely humbled to also be able to support those in need in Ukraine. We hope that this small gesture
goes some way to helping provide immediate frontline healthcare support to the many people who desperately need it," added Paul Kempster, SCAS Chief Operating Officer.