The Kremlin has warned that UK drone factories that are helping Ukraine could face attacks from "unknown sources". This comes after the UK government agreed to hand over satellite blueprints for the Scalp missile – a British‑made long‑range weapon – for Ukraine to produce independently.
Andrei Fedorov, an adviser to the Kremlin, said on BBC Newsnight that the attack could be a semi‑military response against enterprises producing drones for Ukraine. Fedorov added that these attacks might not come directly from Russia but could be carried out by unnamed actors.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced he will travel to the United States in September to lobby President Biden for Ukraine’s air‑defence needs and to discuss the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
Burnham’s first official trip abroad was to Ukraine in August, where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky and chaired a "coalition of the willing" meeting. He pledged that the UK would maintain its support for Ukraine and highlighted the importance of strengthening Kyiv’s air defences, especially as Russia increases attacks on energy infrastructure during the winter months.
The UK’s decision to provide missile blueprints has drawn ire from Russian officials, who say it prolongs the conflict and threatens Russian positions. Russia’s military is reportedly gathering data to locate missile production sites for potential strike actions.
As tensions flare, the UK stands by its commitment to Ukraine’s security, yet must navigate complex international diplomatic pressures and the risk of retaliation against its defence contractors.
