UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting Ukraine after Russia warned of “consequences” over the use of British-made drones in recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory.
Burnham said the UK would continue backing Kyiv despite Moscow’s warning, insisting Britain would remain a steadfast ally of Ukraine throughout the war. “We are not fair-weather friends, we will be there in Ukraine’s hour of need and that won’t change.”
The Russian embassy in the UK had accused Britain of deliberately escalating the conflict after confirmation that British-made drones were used in Ukrainian attacks inside Russia.
Moscow warned that Britain’s deeper involvement in the war would come at a higher cost, saying London would eventually have to answer for its actions.
Responding to the threat, Burnham maintained that Britain’s military support was aimed at helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s invasion. “We are providing support so that Ukraine can defend itself and that’s been the British position all the way through this conflict, by previous prime ministers – it remains the case with me.”
The UK Ministry of Defence also said Britain remained committed to providing Ukraine with the equipment required to defend itself against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
Britain has been among Ukraine’s leading international supporters since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, supplying weapons, drones and other military equipment.
Two British companies are known to have built drones supplied to Kyiv, while a military source confirmed that UK drones had been used in recent attacks against targets in Russia.
The attacks have increasingly targeted Russian oil refineries and logistics facilities, including sites belonging to Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer.
Moscow’s latest warning comes amid an escalation in Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside Russia, with hundreds of drones reportedly launched towards the Moscow region over the past two days.
Russian officials said about 620 drones had been flown towards the region surrounding Moscow in the latest overnight attacks, with air defences destroying more than 180. Several people were reportedly wounded and a Wildberries warehouse was damaged.
Ukraine has also continued developing and deploying its own long-range drone and missile technology, including the FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile.
Russia has repeatedly criticised Britain’s role in supplying military technology to Ukraine, including drones and Storm Shadow missiles.
In April, the UK Ministry of Defence announced plans to provide Ukraine with tens of thousands of drones, including long-range strike systems, in what it described as its largest military aid package of the war.
Burnham had also told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Kyiv could “count on the UK for as long as it takes” during their visit to a British naval base last month.
He further said Britain would share its new “Stone Cloak” technology with Ukraine, which would enable electronic jamming of Russian air-defence systems.
The latest exchange comes as the war continues to take a heavy toll on civilians on both sides.
United Nations officials said Ukraine recorded 437 civilian deaths last month, the highest monthly figure since May 2022. Russian officials, meanwhile, said 69 people, including three children, had been killed in the country over the preceding week.
In the latest Russian strikes on Ukraine, 17 people were killed, including 10 villagers in Pechenihy in northeastern Ukraine.
Russia currently controls approximately a fifth of Ukrainian territory, although its forces have made limited progress on the frontline in recent months.
Meanwhile, concerns over potential Russian retaliation against Western allies have increasingly focused on hybrid warfare, including suspected drone activity around sensitive military and industrial locations across Europe.
Despite Moscow’s warnings, Burnham’s latest comments signal that Britain intends to maintain its military and political support for Kyiv.
