News | Mail Online
· collected 2026-08-24 · by James Tapsfield, Will Stewart, Eliana Silver
Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov has warned that Britain is "participating in this war" on the side of Ukraine, following the UK's decision to supply secret missile technology to Kyiv. The technology will allow for the production of French-made "deep precision" Scalp missiles, which can reach targets in Russia. This move comes as part of a visit by Andy Burnham, the Shadow Secretary of State for Defense, who is meeting with Ukrainian officials and participating in events marking Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union. Peskov said that Britain's involvement will lead to "consequences" and that Moscow views relations with the UK at an "unprecedentedly low level".
Written by the local model on 2026-08-24,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Russia has been warning Britain that it will face consequences for supplying drones to Ukraine, which have been used to attack targets on Russian territory. In response to reports of British-made drones being used in strikes against Russia, the Russian embassy in London said "London's actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer". The UK has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, committing around 25 billion pounds ($47 billion) in support, including 16 billion pounds in military aid.
The use of British-made drones against Russia is believed to be the first time they have been used for long-range strikes against Russian territory. Ukraine has been using these drones to hit oil refineries and logistics facilities, causing significant economic damage, with reports suggesting that the attacks have caused over £35bn in economic damage.
The UK's Ministry of Defence did not confirm whether British drones had been used, but a spokesperson said that "Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin's illegal invasion."
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, at least five people have been killed and more than 10 injured in the latest wave of Russian strikes, officials have said. The attacks caused fires across the capital, Kyiv, including at a book market. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of targeting civilian infrastructure.
Separately, a Russian missile attack killed 10 people on Tuesday in a village in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, Ukrainian authorities said. The attack damaged 10 private buildings, a cafe, a post office, a store and at least seven cars.
Written for “Russia-Ukraine Conflict Escalates” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 26 other(s) covering the same event.
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Russia made its fury over Britain’s decision to supply Ukraine with secret missile technology clear today as the Kremlin warned: 'Britain is now participating in this war.'
asserted
Britain → see → war
Andy Burnham is in the Ukrainian capital for his first foreign visit, where he announced that European defence firm MBDA has been given permission to share information on UK components for the long-range Scalp missile.
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MBDA → announce → missile
Asked about the Kremlin's view on Mr Burnham's move, Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow's view was 'extremely negative,' adding:
'Britain is participating in this war.
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Britain → ask → war
It is participating in this war on the side of the Kyiv regime.
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It → participate → regime
Britain methodically and regularly pours fuel on the fire and methodically and regularly plots to prevent any progress in the peace process.
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Britain → pour → process
'Our armed forces are conducting the relevant work, obtaining the relevant information in order to identify the production sites of such missiles, the production sites of other military equipment, and are taking measures to destroy these sites.
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forces → conduct → sites
Britain's decision means the 'deep precision' Scalp, a French-produced version of the UK's Storm Shadow using both countries' technology, could now be produced locally in Ukraine.
uncertain
Scalp → mean → Ukraine
The weapons are critical for long-range strikes reaching targets in Russia.
asserted
strikes → reach → Russia
Andy Burnham laid a wreath and flowers at the graves of Ukrainian soldiers at the National Military Cemetery, as part of events marking the country's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991
The PM is in the Ukraine capital for the country's independence day after travelling overnight by train
Mr Burnham laid a wreath and flowers at the graves of Ukrainian soldiers at the National Military Cemetery, as part of events marking the country's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
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Burnham → lay → 1991
During the ceremony, he spoke to Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who told the Prime Minister 'we are in a war period' and warned of Ukraine's difficulties repelling Russian ballistic missile attacks.
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we → speak → attacks
Later, Mr Burnham will chair his first meeting of the 'coalition of the willing', and accept an award on behalf of the British people recognising the UK's support.
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Burnham → chair → support
He is also set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was the first foreign leader to visit 10 Downing Street after Mr Burnham took over from Keir Starmer.
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Burnham → set → Starmer
It follows the Kremlin warning of 'consequences' over UK drones being used by Ukraine to strike far into Russia.
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It → follow → Russia
Moscow said the deeper Britain became involved, 'the higher price it will pay'.
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it → say → price
Mr Burnham said: 'On Ukraine's 35th anniversary of independence, its people should be in no doubt: The UK is behind you.
'
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UK → say → you
In the fight and the rebuilding to come, we stand with Ukraine.
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we → come → Ukraine
We will not back down till there is a lasting peace.
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We → back → ?
But Russia said relations with Britain are at 'an unprecedentedly low level' as it ordered its ambassador Andrey Kelin back to Moscow after seven years in post.
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it → say → post
Mr Kelin has accused the UK of choosing 'a path of confrontation' with Russia.
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Kelin → accuse → Russia
Mr Burnham said: 'Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve.
'
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Russia → say → resolve
We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace.'
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We → back → ?
But his visit comes as Mr Zelensky faces domestic political strife caused by a rift with his former defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, who was sacked last month after reportedly falling out with the head of Ukraine's armed forces.
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who → come → forces
Mr Fedorov, whose sacking triggered weeks of mass protests, has called for Mr Zelensky to hold elections, arguing democracy 'should not be the hostage of Putin'.
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democracy → trigger → Putin
During the ceremony, he spoke to Finnish President Alexander Stubb (second from left)
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he → speak → Stubb
He has also called for Mr Zelensky to face questions over what he knew about alleged corruption in his inner circle.
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he → call → circle
Last week, Ukraine's anti-corruption authorities said they had uncovered a money-laundering plot, leading Mr Zelensky to sack one of his senior officials over their alleged involvement.
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they → say → involvement
The president has denied any involvement, telling reporters over the weekend: 'The heads of anti-corruption agencies have zero questions for me.
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heads → deny → me
They understand perfectly well that I am not involved in anything like that.'
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I → understand → that
