Russia has accused the United Kingdom (UK) of “pouring fuel on the fire” over plans to provide Ukraine with Storm Shadow blueprints to help establish local assembly lines.
On August 24, 2026, the UK’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham travelled to Ukraine to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reiterate support for their fight against Russia.
As part of the visit, the UK announced it has agreed that defense firm MBDA can release classified information on UK components used in the long-range missile.
Under the plan Ukraine will be able to domestically manufacture SCALP missiles, the French-produced version of the UK’s Storm Shadow.
Ukraine and France have previously held talks in June 2026 to allow Kyiv to manufacture SCALP cruise missiles domestically.
“On Ukraine’s 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes,” Prime Minister Burnham said. “I am proud of the contribution our country has made to Ukraine and I want the Ukrainian people to hear it directly from me that our support will not waver. After all, Ukraine’s security is our security.”
Dmitry Peskov, Russia’s Presidential Press Secretary reacted angrily to the news and accused the UK of inflaming the conflict.
“Britain is methodically and consistently pouring fuel on the fire and constantly scheming to prevent any progress in the peace settlement process,” said Peskov. “This is precisely what the United Kingdom is doing.”
Andy Burnham says Ukraine is "Europe's protector" and "not a drain on our security".
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) August 24, 2026
Speaking during Ukrainian Independence Day celebrations, the prime minister added the UK "is with you all the way in this struggle" during the war with Russia.
Burnham will be handing over… pic.twitter.com/F5r1HyICcC
The statement added: “Russia’s Armed Forces are carrying out the relevant work and gathering data to identify the production sites for such missiles and other military equipment and are taking measures to destroy them.”
The UK prime minister hit back at a press conference in Ukraine, saying: “Who started the fire? That’s the question, isn’t it.”
On August 23, 2026, Russia announced that its ambassador to the UK had concluded his time in London citing a deterioration in relations to an “unprecedentedly low level”.
So far threats from Russia have failed to deter the UK from supporting Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.
“The friendship between our two countries will long outlast Russia’s illegal war. In both the fight and in the rebuilding to come, we will stand with Ukraine and deliver opportunities for people across both our countries,” Prime Minister Burham added. “Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace.”