UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged continued British support for Ukraine despite what he described as “outrageous threats” from Russia.
Burnham made the commitment during his first official visit to Ukraine as prime minister, where he met President Volodymyr Zelensky and chaired a meeting of the “coalition of the willing” supporting Kyiv.
A key announcement from the visit is Britain’s decision to provide Ukraine with classified information on British-made components used in the Scalp long-range cruise missile, allowing Kyiv to develop and produce its own version of the weapon.
The move is intended to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to carry out long-range strikes against Russian targets as the war continues.
Speaking in Kyiv, Burnham said Britain would continue putting pressure on Moscow and helping Ukraine strengthen its defences ahead of the winter.
“This is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia,” he said, adding that Britain would continue supporting Ukraine despite threats from Moscow.
The Kremlin has condemned the decision, accusing Britain of “participating in this war” and warning that the transfer of missile technology would “add fuel to the fire.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia was already gathering information on potential missile production sites and would seek to destroy them.
The announcement comes as Russia and Ukraine continue exchanging attacks. Ukrainian authorities say five people were killed and 15 wounded in Russian attacks in the Kharkiv region, while a Russian drone strike damaged a residential apartment block in Chernihiv, injuring 14 people, including two children.
Russia has also reported Ukrainian drone attacks, with officials saying three teenagers were killed after a children’s centre in Krasnodar was hit by what they described as drone debris.
Meanwhile, Zelensky used Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day celebrations to vow that his country would not surrender to Russia.
He called for continued unity between Europe and the United States and urged international partners to maintain pressure on Moscow.
The UK’s latest military commitment comes amid growing calls for Ukraine to develop greater domestic weapons production and reduce its dependence on foreign supplies.
Defence analysts, however, say Ukraine still needs more sophisticated air-defence systems, particularly to counter Russian ballistic missiles.
SOURCE: BBC