Britain will increase military support for Ukraine as the country continues to face Russian aggression, the Defence Secretary will announce today.

Additional troops and a Royal Navy ship will be deployed to Ukraine to defend “freedom and democracy”.

Ukrainian Special Forces and Marines will be trained by British personnel and HMS Echo, a Royal Navy hydrographic survey ship with a company of 72, will deploy to the region.

“As long as Ukraine faces Russian hostilities, it will find a steadfast partner in the United Kingdom,” Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, will say.

“By continuing to work together, whether through training programmes or military exercises, we help Ukraine to stand up for our shared values.

“Those values of freedom and democracy cannot be traded. I have witnessed on the frontline the effects of the war in the east and this has completely reinforced my support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.”