The Independent World
· collected 2026-08-24 · by Arpan Rai and Gergana Krasteva
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.
Andy Burnham is set to give Ukraine blueprints for the British Storm Shadow long-range missile during his Independence Day visit.
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Burnham → set → visit
The prime minister arrived in Kyiv this morning, just hours after at least three people were killed in a Russian attack on the outskirts of Kharkiv.
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people → arrive → Kharkiv
It is the first overseas visit for the leader, more than a month after entering Downing Street, and it comes as Kyiv and Moscow continued to exchange devastating attacks overnight.
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Kyiv → enter → attacks
He is set to announce that Britain has agreed to allow European missile manufacturer MBDA to release classified information on UK-made components used in the SCALP long-range cruise missile, according to his office.
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Britain → set → office
"Ukraine's security is our security," Burnham said in a statement, adding that Britain would stand by Ukraine "for as long as it takes".
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it → say → Ukraine
In Kharkiv, emergency services have rescued and evacuated eight people, some of whom were injured, governor Oleh Syniehubov said, adding the search was ongoing to identify any other possible casualties.
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search → rescue → casualties
Meanwhile, two people were killed and two more injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian border region of Belgorod, local authorities said.
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authorities → kill → Belgorod
Ukraine also hit another online retailer, setting fire to Ozon's logistics hub in Makhachkala in the Russian republic of Dagestan.
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Ukraine → hit → Dagestan
'Britain adding fuel to the fire' in war, Kremlin warns
The Kremlin has accused Britain of “taking part in the war on Ukraine’s side” during Burnham’s visit to Kyiv.
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Kremlin → add → Kyiv
Reacting to the PM’s decision to hand Ukraine classified information on British-made components used to make SCALP long-range cruise missiles, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “Britain is methodically and regularly adding fuel to the fire of the Ukrainian conflict and undermining the peace process.”
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Britain → react → process
He said that the Russian military is gathering data to identify the location of any missile production sites and then destroying them.
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military → say → them
Russia continues to try to pressure the UK over its support - and the diplomatic relationship between the two countries has deteriorated to an unprecedentedly low level.
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relationship → continue → level
This comes a week after the Russian embassy threatened “consequences” after it emerged that Britain was supplying attack drones to Ukraine.
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Britain → come → Ukraine
Ukrainian drone attack kills three teenagers in Russia, officials say
Three teenagers were killed after drone debris hit a private childcare centre in southern Russia's Krasnodar region overnight, local officials said.
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officials → kill → region
Another eight people, including seven children, were wounded in the attack.
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people → include → attack
Air raid alarms warning residents of drones rang out just after 7am this morning.
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alarms → warn → am
In a post on Telegram, Russia's children's rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova later confirmed the fatalities.
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commissioner → confirm → fatalities
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine
PM honours fallen Ukrainian soldiers ahead of Coalition of the Willing meeting
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.
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Burnham → be → 1991
During the ceremony, the PM spoke to Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who told him that “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, he is expected to chair his first meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, set up by the UK and France to help Ukraine under his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer.
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he → expect → predecessor
Ukraine not ready 'to simply surrender' to Russia, Zalensky says
Ukraine is not ready “to simply surrender” to Russia at any price, Volodymyr Zelensky said in a defiant speech marking Independence Day celebrations.
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Zelensky → surrender → celebrations
Standing in a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt in front of the golden-domed St Michael's monastery in Kyiv where burned-out Russian tanks are on show, the president reiterated that his country will not surrender territory.
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country → stand → territory
He said Russia's demand - repeatedly rejected by Ukraine - that Kyiv cede the remaining part of the eastern Donbas area that is not in Russian hands after 4-1/2 years of war would not be enough to stop the war.
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that → say → war
"We will not let them (Russians) seize the initiative, deceive Europe and the entire world into thinking that we simply need to give up Donbas and everything will be over soon," Zelensky added.
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Zelensky → let → Donbas
Paying tribute to the people and soldiers defending Ukraine in the war, he again urged allies to bring Russia to the negotiating table and hit it with more sanctions.
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he → pay → sanctions
Two people killed in Ukrainian drone attack on Russia, authorities say
Two people have been killed in a Ukrainian drone strike on the Russian border region of Belgorod.
Local authorities said two others were also injured in the attack earlier today.
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others → kill → attack
In the past week, Ukraine has been targeting Russian logistic depots in the region.
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Ukraine → target → region
In pictures: Ukrainians mark Independence Day as Russia pummels second-largest city
EU unveils further £5.2 billion in aid for Ukrainian defence
The European Commission has unveiled a further £5.2 billion in aid for Ukraine - for new defence systems, such as air defence, missiles, ammunition and radars to repel the worsening Russian attacks.
This latest aid package comes on top of £13.6 billion of previously approved procurement plans, of which £7 billion had already been disbursed, the EU said.
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EU → mark → which
"As Russia intensifies its attacks, we are stepping up to help Ukraine protect its people and defend its skies.
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Ukraine → intensify → skies
Europe stands with Ukraine and we will deliver what it needs, when it needs it," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a statement.
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Leyen → stand → statement
The SCALP missile is the French-manufactured version of the prized British Storm Shadow.
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missile → manufacture → Shadow
It is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile, designed to hit high‑value fixed or fortified targets with precision and low observability.
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It → launch → precision
It has a strike capability of over 155 miles , which means that it would potentially allow Ukraine to attack targets deeper into Russian territory.
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Ukraine → have → territory
This will be a massive boost to Ukraine in its efforts to target military sites in Russia.
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This → target → Russia
Downing Street said the decision will allow France and Ukraine to go ahead with assembly of the missile on Ukrainian territory.
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France → say → territory
It follows efforts by the two countries to expand local production of long-range weapons, so it does not have to rely entirely on deliveries of complete missiles from abroad.
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it → follow → missiles
Britain was the first country to provide Ukraine with Western long-range strike missiles when it supplied Storm Shadow back in 2023.
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it → provide → 2023
