Boris Johnson travelled to Kyiv secretly by train for Zelensky weapons talks, as pics show new eight-mile Russian convoy
BORIS Johnson secretly took the TRAIN to war-torn Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian president Voldymyr Zelensky.
The PM vowed to give Kyiv the weapons, technology and intelligence to ensure that “Putin must fail” in a public address on the under-wraps trip.
Now, footage of the PM’s train journey from Poland to Ukraine has revealed how he got into the warzone this week.
In the clip, Mr Johnson says: “Hi, it’s Boris Johnson here, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
“I am traveling on fantastic Ukrainian Railways train through to Kyiv from Poland.
“I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all the staff of Ukrainian railways for what you are doing.
“I gather you are called Iron People because that’s the trade you work in.
“But I also think it shows the spirit you show, the spirit of Ukraine in standing up to the appalling aggression that we are seeing.”
His message came days after Kramatorsk train station was struck by a Russian missile with “for the children” scrawled on the side – killing at least 50.
“I’m so sorry about the loss of some of your colleagues and comrades in Kramatorsk,” the PM added.
“We in the UK stand in sympathy and solidarity with you.”
It comes as images of an eight-mile long convoy of hundreds of vehicles – including artillery – were seen east of Kharkiv, in the east of Ukraine.
The procession headed southbound through the town of Velykyi Burluk – and forms part of Putin’s focus on the eastern Donbas region.
Russian forces are currently attacking from the north at Izyum as well as in the east – and they are poised to advance from the south.
In other Ukraine news:
- Britain will send anti-ship missiles to blitz Putin’s Black Sea fleet,
- Russian soldier arrested after “filming himself raping baby in Ukraine”,
- Labour candidate is under fire after branding hero president Volodymyr Zelensky a “fascist”,
- Boris Johnson is thanked by Ukrainians and gifted a ceramic chicken.
Zelensky last night hailed Mr Johnson a “hero” for vowing to provide military equipment to aid Ukraine’s fight.
The PM has pledged £100million worth of further UK military assistance.
This includes anti-tank and anti-aircraft weaponry and so-called “suicide drones”, which loiter over the battlefield before attacking their target.
Sources also claim the UK will send anti-ship missiles to blitz Putin’s Black Sea fleet blockading Ukraine.
Addressing the Ukranian people overnight, Mr Zelensky said: “The leadership of the United Kingdom, in providing our country with all the necessary assistance in terms of defence, as well as leadership in sanctions policy, will go down in history forever.”
The Prime Minister yesterday called Zelensky a lion, said Ukraine had defied the odds in fighting Russia and insisted the UK stands unwaveringly with them.
He hailed the courage of ordinary Ukrainians, condemned Putin’s regime for his “war crimes” and promised to ratchet up sanctions week-by-week until Russia was defeated.
Later that day, he walked through Kyiv with Ukrainian President Vologymyr Zelensky – while flanked by armed soldiers.
The pair strolled through the eerily empty streets before bumping into surprised citizens who thanked Boris for Britain’s help – and gifted him a cockerel-shaped jug.
The PM had earlier pledged £100million worth of further UK military assistance.
And sources claim the UK will also send send sea-skimming Harpoon missiles which can blitz warships over the horizon at a range of more than 80 miles.
And 120 armoured vehicles including tracked personnel carriers known as Spartans will also be donated.
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The vehicles first entered service in 1978 and were due to be retired.
Other vehicles Mastiff, Husky and Wolfhound armoured personnel carriers were designed to protect troops from Improvised Explosive Devices in Iraq and Afghanistan.
