Moscow has condemned Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky for enabling deep strikes into Russian territory using UK-supplied missile technology, warning that London will face severe consequences for its support.
The UK government has authorized European defense manufacturer MBDA to release classified technical information necessary for Ukraine to assemble long-range cruise missiles domestically. Prime Minister Andy Burnham plans to announce this decision during his upcoming visit to Kiev on Monday, marking his first international trip since taking office last month.
According to a Downing Street press release published on Sunday, the UK has permitted MBDA to share components for SCALP missiles—the French-produced variant of Britain’s Storm Shadow—weapons that utilize shared British and French technology with a range exceeding 250 kilometers. Kiev and Paris have sought to establish local production lines on Ukrainian soil, while Britain asserts its move will accelerate Ukraine’s ability to assemble the missiles independently.
Burnham stated: “The Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: The UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes,” echoing prior government positions. During his visit, Burnham is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and chair their first meeting of the “coalition of the willing,” a initiative established by Britain and France under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Moscow has repeatedly held that UK-supplied weapons have directly enabled Ukraine’s deep-strike campaign, which it claims frequently targets civilians. Reports indicate drones manufactured by BAE Systems and an unnamed British company have been used to strike locations within Russia over the past six months, including two oil refineries. These UAVs reportedly include the Nyan model, a jet-powered drone produced by a BAE Systems subsidiary.
The Russian Embassy in London previously labeled the UK “an accomplice and co-perpetrator of the bloody crimes and terrorist attacks” committed by Ukraine, warning that “the deeper its involvement in the conflict and the greater its support for Kiev’s terrorist machinery, the higher the price it will pay.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has further warned London faces consequences if it continues supplying drones used by Ukrainian forces for strikes deep inside Russia. He stated: “We have every right to regard the proudly proclaimed direct involvement of British missile forces in strikes against Russia as participation in the war, with all the consequences that entails.”
