Russia has threatened that British military targets could be struck in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory using British-supplied missiles, escalating tensions following Andy Burnham's new long-range missile agreement with Kyiv.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on 27 August that Moscow could target British military assets both inside and outside Ukraine if Ukrainian forces used British missiles against targets in Russia.
The warning follows Burnham's visit to Kyiv earlier this week, when the Prime Minister announced that Britain would share classified technical information to help Ukraine produce its own long-range Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles.
There is no evidence that Russia has ordered an attack on British forces or that any strike is imminent. The statement is a threat from the Russian Government and should be treated as such.
Russia threatens British military targets
Zakharova told reporters in Moscow that Britain risked escalating the conflict by enabling Ukraine to develop and use long-range missile capabilities.
Reuters reported that she said British military assets could become targets both within Ukraine and elsewhere if British-supplied missiles were used to strike Russian territory.
She also criticised Britain and France for providing sensitive missile technology to Kyiv and accused both countries of playing with fire.
The comments represent a more explicit threat than earlier Russian criticism of Britain's military support for Ukraine.
Burnham approved classified missile technology transfer
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced during his visit to Kyiv on 24 August that the UK would help Ukraine manufacture its own long-range missiles.
The agreement allows defence company MBDA to provide Ukraine with classified technical information relating to British components of the Franco-British SCALP/Storm Shadow missile.
The missile is an air-launched precision weapon with a range of more than 250 kilometres and is designed to strike hardened or fixed targets at long range.
Associated Press reported that the Ukrainian-produced weapons are not expected to become operational before 2027, meaning the agreement is intended to strengthen Ukraine's longer-term strike capability rather than provide an immediate battlefield solution.
Storm Shadow already used by Ukraine
Britain has supplied Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine since 2023, making the UK one of the first countries to provide Kyiv with Western-made long-range cruise missiles.
Ukraine has used long-range Western weapons against military targets connected with Russia's invasion, while Moscow has repeatedly warned that the use of Western-supplied systems against Russian territory risks direct confrontation with NATO countries.
The latest dispute differs from previous arguments over supplying completed missiles because Britain is now helping Ukraine establish its own domestic production capability using classified technology.
Moscow warns of escalation
Russia argues that supplying technical information and enabling Ukrainian missile production makes Britain more directly involved in the conflict.
Britain rejects the suggestion that military support for Ukraine makes it a party to Russia's war and maintains that Ukraine has the right to defend itself against Russia's invasion.
Burnham has defended continued military assistance to Kyiv and has also called for stronger economic pressure on Moscow.
The Government has not publicly indicated any change to the missile agreement in response to Russia's latest warning.
Threat comes amid fresh Russian attacks on Ukraine
The warning came on the same day Russia launched another large-scale missile and drone assault against Ukraine.
Reuters reported that the attack involved 258 drones alongside ballistic, hypersonic and cruise missiles and struck cities and infrastructure across several regions.
Ukrainian authorities reported damage to energy, industrial and civilian sites and injuries in several locations.
The latest attacks underline the continuing intensity of the conflict despite international efforts to secure a ceasefire.
No evidence strike on Britain has been ordered
Zakharova's statement is a serious escalation in rhetoric, but it does not amount to confirmation that Russia has authorised military action against British forces or facilities.
No timetable, target list or operational order has been announced.
The verified development is that a senior Russian government spokeswoman has explicitly raised the prospect of British military assets being targeted in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes using British-supported long-range missiles.
Any further development would depend on events on the battlefield and on decisions taken by the Russian and Ukrainian governments.