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A former Russian deputy foreign minister has warned that UK drone factories may face attacks from "unknown sources" due to the sharing of blueprints for British-made missile components. Andrei Fedorov made these comments during an appearance on BBC Newsnight, highlighting the potential for a "semi-military" response against the UK.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to visit the US next month, where he will lobby President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine's defense needs. This trip would mark Burnham's first official visit to the US since taking office. Following his recent visit to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Burnham reaffirmed the UK's commitment to supporting Ukraine amid escalating Russian strikes.
The UK has agreed to provide blueprints for components of the Scalp missile, which is a French variant of the UK's Storm Shadow cruise missile. This will enable Ukraine to produce the long-range weapon domestically. Fedorov expressed that there is significant pressure on Putin to take action against the UK, citing public opinion and media influence. He suggested that attacks on drone production facilities could occur, potentially not directly from Russia but from unidentified sources.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also criticized the UK's decision to share missile blueprints, claiming it hinders peace efforts. He stated that the Russian military is gathering intelligence to locate missile production sites for potential destruction. Burnham responded to these threats by questioning who initiated the conflict, emphasizing the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine and its security.