British PM arrives in Kyiv in surprise visit, pledges air defence aid to Ukraine VIDEO

The British Prime Minister has arrived in Kyiv as part of an unannounced visit to meet with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on November 19, the first meeting since Britain's Sunak took office.

Sunak's visit was accompanied by the announcement of a £50 million air defence package to Ukraine, including 125 anti-aircraft guns and technology to help Ukraine counter Iranian-supplied drones, including radars and anti-drone technology, the BBC reported.

"While Ukraine's armed forces succeed in pushing back Russian forces on the ground, civilians are being brutally bombarded from the air. We are today providing new air defence, including anti-aircraft guns, radar and anti-drone equipment, and stepping up humanitarian support for the cold, hard winter ahead", Sunak announced.

The British premier stated that it was "deeply humbling" to be in the Ukrainian capital and have the opportunity to meet people "paying so high a price, to defend the principles of sovereignty and democracy".

The visit comes as Kyiv and several other regions of Ukraine grapple with power shortages after nearly 50% of the country's energy infrastructure has been destroyed by Russian attacks amid an approaching cold winter. 

Britain knows what it means to fight for freedom.

We are with you all the way @ZelenskyyUa 🇺🇦🇬🇧

Британія знає, що означає боротися за свободу.

Ми з вами до кінця @ZelenskyyUa 🇺🇦🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/HsL8s4Ibqa

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) November 19, 2022