The UK Prime Minister visited Ukraine, pledging continued support despite threats from Russia, and proceeded to declassify and hand over missile blueprints to Ukraine for domestic production.
On Monday, 24 Aug 2026 GMT+7, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham made his first official visit to Ukraine and vowed that his country would continue supporting Ukraine despite strong threats of retaliation from Russia.
Burnham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and participated in the “Coalition of the Willing” meeting, emphasizing support for air defense systems and missiles such as the Patriot system, while urging allies to release stored equipment to help Ukraine counter Russian attacks.
The UK also authorized MBDA, the missile developer and manufacturer for the military, to declassify parts information of the Scalp missile, the French version of the Storm Shadow cruise missile, providing Ukraine with blueprints to produce this long-range guided missile domestically.
Furthermore, the UK called on the US Congress to accelerate stricter economic sanctions against Russia.
Meanwhile, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian Kremlin government, criticized the provision of missile blueprints to Ukraine as “pouring oil on the fire,” stating that the Russian military is gathering data to destroy the missile factories involved and warned that the UK would pay a heavy price if it deepens its involvement in this war.
Burnham rejected Russia's accusations that the UK is helping Ukraine attack Russian territory, stating that the UK is merely assisting Ukraine in self-defense and questioned, “Who truly ignited this war?” He affirmed that the UK's relationship and aid to Ukraine would remain steadfast and long-term until a just peace is achieved.
Russia confirmed that Andrei Kelin, the Russian ambassador to the UK, has been dismissed from his post, without revealing reasons, but insisted this does not represent a downgrade in diplomatic relations.
Source:bbc