Ukraine gets $7.1bn EU air defence aid

The European Union said Monday that it had released another 6.1 billion euros, or $7.1 billion, in military aid for Ukraine to strengthen its air defences against Russian missile attacks.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the move before talks between Ukraine and its allies on stepping up military support.

“Today, we approved €6.1 billion for the air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars that Ukraine urgently needs,” von der Leyen said on X, marking Ukraine's Independence Day.

The European Commission said 376 missile strikes were recorded in July alone, making reinforcement of Ukraine's defences increasingly urgent.

The financing is part of a 90 billion-euro loan that the EU has said will go to Ukraine, including 60 billion euros in military aid. About 16 billion euros has already been allocated and 8.5 billion euros sent to Kyiv.

Ukraine is seeking more missile interceptors, particularly Patriot air defence systems, to counter Russian attacks on its cities.