This rapid review assesses the UK's aid response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, examining how UK official development assistance has addressed evolving humanitarian, economic and governance needs since February 2022.
Based on a strategic portfolio review, thematic analyses, extensive document review and stakeholder consultations, it evaluates the relevance, effectiveness and coherence of UK support across humanitarian assistance, stabilisation, rights and accountability, fiscal support, economic reform and anti-corruption, and reconstruction and recovery. The review finds that the UK mounted a timely and flexible response, combining humanitarian assistance, fiscal guarantees, governance reform, accountability for war crimes and recovery planning, while highlighting challenges related to humanitarian localisation, corruption risks, adaptive programming and long-term reconstruction. It concludes with recommendations to strengthen localisation, scenario-based programming, anti-corruption oversight and support for transparent reconstruction and recovery.