Sir Keir Starmer is visiting Ukraine today in his final overseas trip as Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister is embarking on his last foreign visit in the job – just hours after the Ukrainian capital was battered by Russian missiles, the latest in a series of strikes between the two countries.
Sir Keir will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during the high-security trip, his 49th in charge.
He is expected to tell the Ukrainian leader his country will still have Britain’s support after he is replaced by Andy Burnham.
Russian missiles struck at least two districts in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Thursday, causing multiple fires, officials declared.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two warehouses was struck near the west of the city, with debris hitting the ground on the bank of the Dnipro River, with fires breaking out in both areas.
A school was also damaged in the blasts, the Mayor added.
Pictures from within Ukraine showed a devastating blaze being doused by firefighters.
Two warehouses were set alight in a night of Russian strikes
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On Tuesday night, 14 people were killed in Ukraine from Russian missile strikes
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The Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement the attack targeted military manufacturing facilities in the Ukrainian capital which produce long-range missiles and drones.
Ukraine’s air force said one ballistic missile and 25 drones struck 17 locations, while falling debris was reported in 10 locations.
On Tuesday night, 14 people were killed in Russian missile strikes throughout Ukraine.
Sir Keir, ahead of the meeting, declared Britain and its allies would always stand against Russian aggression.
Keir Starmer hugged Volodymyr Zelensky at a Bastille Day parade on Tuesday
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Sir Keir Starmer declared Britain and its allies would always stand against Russian aggression
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He said: “When I became Prime Minister, I knew the UK must not simply stand with Ukraine in the moment, but help build the foundations of its long-term security and success.
“That’s why we put the UK at the centre of a stronger Europe – investing more money into defence, leading the way in the war fighting technologies of the future and doing everything we can to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position.”
The Prime Minister added: “I am so proud of what Britain has contributed. That work will continue, and our cast-iron support for Ukraine will always endure.”
Kemi Badenoch admitted there was “one thing” she admired about Sir Keir during his final Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.
Russian Defence Ministry said it targeted Ukrainian military manufacturing facilities
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Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a school was also damaged in the Russian strikes
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She said: “When President Zelensky was attacked in the White House, the Prime Minister showed leadership and invited him to Downing Street. That was the right thing to do.”
The outgoing Prime Minister has spent his final week highlighting what he sees as his legacy, receiving the Legion d’honneur from French President Emmanuel Macron in recognition of his support for Ukraine and European relations.
Mr Burnham will succeed Sir Keir as Labour leader on Friday in a “coronation” – before he is formally appointed Prime Minister on Monday.
The Makerfield MP, in his Reddit “ask me anything”, responded: “Yes 100 per cent” when asked if he would continue to support Kyiv.