Andy Burnham, the UK Labour leader, faces pressure to address concerns over Russia's "shadow war" against NATO allies and to increase defense spending. Political figures like Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and former UKIP leader Nigel Farage are calling on Burnham to outline specific plans for safeguarding Britain. Meanwhile, other European leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk are emphasizing the urgency of the situation due to recent incidents involving Russian drones in Lithuania and a drone attack at Leipzig's airport attributed to Russia. NATO is urging the UK government to commit to reaching 3.5% GDP on defense spending by 2035, but the current Labour plan only aims for 2.7% by 2027/28.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Andy Burnham, Britain's Prime Minister, is under pressure to address the threat posed by Russia's "shadow war" against NATO allies. Both Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Tories, and Nigel Farage from Reform UK are urging Burnham to outline his strategy for ensuring the country’s safety. This comes after warnings that Russian President Vladimir Putin may target European countries supporting Ukraine with hybrid attacks using drones or rockets. Poland's PM, Donald Tusk, suggested Russia would claim any attacks on Ukrainian allies as accidental, aiming to weaken NATO resolve. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron planned a meeting at the Elysée Palace to discuss growing concerns over intensified Russian aggression in Europe. With reports of potential US troop withdrawals from Europe and increased tensions, there are worries that Burnham is not adequately addressing these threats.
Written for “Russian Threat Concerns” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
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Andy Burnham is facing demands to come clean with Brits about the threat being posed by Russia's 'shadow' war against NATO allies.
Both Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK's Nigel Farage have called on the Prime Minister to set out in greater detail how he plans to keep the UK safe.
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he → see → UK
It follows warnings that Russia is planning hybrid strikes with drones or rockets on European countries supporting Ukraine.
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Russia → follow → Ukraine
NATO fighter pilots this week shot down a drone that was said to have entered Lithuania's airspace from neighbouring Belarus, an ally of Russia.
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that → shoot → Russia
In a speech on Thursday, Poland's PM Donald Tusk suggested Moscow will pretend attacks on Ukrainian allies are 'accidental' in its attempt to 'paralyse or at least weaken the motivation of NATO countries'.
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attacks → suggest → countries
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron was expected to convene a meeting at the Elysee Palace with opposition leaders on Friday.
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Macron → expect → Friday
Andy Burnham is facing demands to come clean with Brits about the threat being posed by Russia's 'shadow' war against NATO allies
It follows warnings that Russia's Vladimir Putin is planning hybrid strikes with drones or rockets on European countries supporting Ukraine
The talks will reportedly focus on the consequences for France of the 'rapid deterioration' in the global situation amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict and Iran war.
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talks → face → conflict
Mr Macron is said to be ready to share intelligence that he currently only has access to as head of state.
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he → say → state
At the beginning of this month, Germany said Russia was responsible for a drone attack at Leipzig's airport in August and said it expected to be targeted again.
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it → say → August
Berlin is said to be stepping up preparations for its hospitals in a potential conflict with Russia.
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Berlin → say → Russia
The German army chief has previously warned the country must be ready for a Russian attack by 2029 or even earlier.
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country → warn → 2029
In a post on X, Mrs Badenoch urged Mr Burnham and the Labour Government to match the 'growing urgency' of NATO allies in stepping up military preparations and boosting defence spending.
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Badenoch → urge → spending
Following talks with Mr Burnham, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Defence Secretary Wes Streeting this week, NATO secretary general Mark Rutte called on the Government to set out a 'credible path' to spending 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035.
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Rutte → follow → 2035
The Government has so far only budgeted to hike defence spending to 2.7 per cent of GDP by 2027/28, but there are no firm details on how further increases will be achieved beyond that date despite 3.5 per cent by 2035 being a NATO target.
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cent → budget → 2035
Chancellor John Healey quit as defence secretary in Keir Starmer's administration in a row over funding, arguing that it was necessary to reach 3 per cent by 2030.
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it → quit → 2030
'Macron and Tusk are speaking and acting with an urgency that makes the latest reports about Russia violating Lithuanian airspace even more concerning,' Mrs Badenoch wrote.
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Badenoch → speak → airspace
It is not clear that the Government is taking the threat from Russia seriously enough.
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Government → take → Russia
'Its own intelligence assessment says an attack on NATO could come by 2030, while repeated smaller-scale incursions are already taking place.
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incursions → say → place
It comes only weeks after CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced visit to Moscow, reportedly to warn Russia against attacking a NATO member.
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Ratcliffe → come → member
Our European allies are responding with growing urgency, yet the Government still will not say what it intends to do on defence.
'
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it → respond → defence
The NATO Secretary General was in Britain only yesterday calling for that path to be set out, and I agree with him.
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I → call → him
The Conservatives set out two weeks ago both our route to higher defence spending at 3 per cent of GDP and how we would pay for it.
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we → set → it
The Government should now explain what it knows about the escalations in Eastern Europe, how it assesses the threat and what it plans to do.
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it → explain → what
'We will put national security first and work with the Government where necessary.
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We → put → Government
But when our own PM talks of national security not coming at the expense of social security, Labour MPs should remember: this was heard not only in Westminster or Manchester; it was also heard in Moscow.'
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it → talk → Moscow
Mr Farage urged Mr Burnham to copy Mr Macron's example and brief opposition parties on the threats to national security.
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Farage → urge → security
The Reform leader said in a statement: 'Given how seriously the French Government is taking Russian drone threats, it is fair to ask, are we doing enough?
'
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we → say → enough
It's high time the Government started taking this threat seriously and briefed opposition leaders on the threats and consequences for UK security.'
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Government → start → security
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