UAE sends ship carrying 23 ambulances to Ukraine

Humanitarian campaign will support those affected by the conflict with Russia

The UAE has sent 25 ambulances to Ukraine as part of the Emirates' humanitarian drive to support countries in need around the world. All photos: Wam

These will help support Ukraine's health sector, amid the country's war with Russia

The UAE aims to supply Ukraine with 50 ambulances

The ambulances are fully equipped with emergency, security and safety equipment, say officials

The UAE has sent a ship carrying 23 ambulances to Ukraine to support the country's health sector during the continuing conflict with Russia.

The equipment was shipped on Thursday as part of the UAE's ongoing humanitarian drive to support needy countries around the world, state news agency Wam reported.

Salem Ahmed Salem Al Kaabi, the UAE ambassador to Ukraine, said that the UAE will continue with its relief efforts to support the Ukrainian people.

The UAE aims to send 50 ambulances to support Ukraine, as part of its ongoing foreign aid programme, according to Majid bin Kamal, director of humanitarian support and aid in the Office of International Affairs.

Last month, the UAE sent an aid plane carrying 10,000 school bags and 2,500 laptops to support Ukrainian pupils, and a ship loaded with 250 tonnes of aid, which included personal supplies, lighting equipment and blankets.

The latter shipment arrived in Poland and Romania by sea before being transported to Ukraine.

In October 2022, the UAE pledged $100 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine after an order from President Sheikh Mohamed.

The move came a day after Sheikh Mohamed spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Sheikh Mohamed at the time said the Emirates would continue to provide humanitarian and economic assistance to mitigate the impact of the conflict with Russia.

The UAE also established an air bridge to ensure essential supplies can reach those hit hardest by the crisis.

Ukraine and Russia conflict latest – in pictures

First responders work at the site of a block of flats destroyed by a Russian missile strike in Lviv. Reuters

A Ukrainian woman practices with a rifle during volunteer military training for civilians near Kyiv. AP

A sport complex damaged by Russian missiles during an attack in Dnipro. EPA

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is briefed at the front line near Soledar in the eastern Donetsk region. Reuters

Ukrainian troops fire a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher near the front line in Donetsk region. Reuters

Locals inspect the damage to a building near the impact area of a rocket strike in Lviv. EPA

A Ukrainian soldier waves from atop an APC at the front line near Bakhmut in Donetsk region. AP

A Ukrainian woman holds her daughter in the back of an ambulance operated by Red Cross volunteers in Kupyansk, Kharkiv region. AP

First responders work at the site of a shopping centre destroyed by a Russian attack in Odesa. Reuters

A Ukrainian soldier watches a Grad multiple rocket launcher firing near Bakhmut in Donetsk region. AP

A Ukrainian woman walks through the destroyed home of her son, who was killed the day before by shelling in Donetsk. Reuters

Firefighters work at the scene where a hotel was damaged by Russian missile fire in Zaporizhzhia. Reuters