Russia Slams UK Over Ukraine Missile Support
Russia has sharply criticised Britain’s decision to help Ukraine expand domestic production of long-range SCALP cruise missiles, accusing London of escalating the war and obstructing efforts towards a peace settlement. Moscow has also threatened to identify and strike facilities involved in producing the weapons.
Russia Slams UK Missile Support for Ukraine
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Britain of “throwing oil on the fire” by providing Ukraine with information required to manufacture SCALP missiles domestically.
The British government plans to authorise defence company MBDA to share information concerning UK-made components used in the Franco-British missile system. Ukraine has received SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles from its European allies but has not previously manufactured them domestically.
Russia claims the British move represents deeper involvement in the conflict, while London maintains that its assistance is intended to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.
Moscow Threatens Ukrainian Missile Production Sites
Peskov said Russian forces were gathering intelligence to identify facilities that could be used to manufacture SCALP missiles and other military equipment.
He warned that such production sites would become targets for Russian military action.
The SCALP is a precision long-range cruise missile capable of striking targets more than 250 kilometres away, allowing Ukraine to hit command centres, logistics facilities and other high-value targets well behind front lines.
Andy Burnham Vows Continued Ukraine Support
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham reaffirmed London’s military support during a visit to Kyiv for Ukraine’s Independence Day commemorations.
Burnham rejected what he described as Russia’s threats against Britain and said the UK would continue supporting Ukraine’s defence.
The missile dispute adds another source of tension between Moscow and London as European governments deepen defence cooperation with Kyiv.
