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World
Russia condemns UK handover of missile component plans to Ukraine
Herz — World Desk · · 30s summary · 3 min read
The essentials
The Kremlin says Britain’s transfer of declassified plans for missile components to Ukraine will deepen tensions with London. Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on Monday to hand over the information and support Ukrainian missile production on his first foreign trip as UK prime minister. Moscow says it will identify and destroy the production sites involved. The visit coincides with Ukraine’s Independence Day as Kyiv prepares for further Russian missile attacks and warns that Russia is stockpiling more ballistic missiles.
- Britain is giving Kyiv declassified information on missile components.
- Moscow threatens to destroy the Ukrainian production sites involved.
- Andy Burnham is making his first foreign trip as UK prime minister.
- Kyiv says Russia is stockpiling more ballistic missiles.
What we know
The Kremlin has warned that Britain’s transfer of declassified plans for missile components to Ukraine will increase tensions between London and Moscow.
According to The Guardian, Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on Monday to hand over the information. It is intended to help Ukraine improve its domestic missile production.
The visit is Burnham’s first foreign trip as UK prime minister.
Dmitry Peskov, Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, said the exchange was adding “fuel to the fire” and undermining progress towards a peace agreement.
Peskov also said the UK was taking part in the war alongside the Ukrainian government. Moscow says it will identify and destroy Ukrainian missile production sites.
Components for Ukrainian production
The declassified information concerns British components used in Storm Shadow/Scalp missiles. These are cruise missiles manufactured by MBDA, with Storm Shadow being the British version.
The transfer is intended to enable Ukraine eventually to build its own version of the missile, although the process could take several years.
The UK has also announced that it will help France establish assembly lines for long-range missiles in Ukraine.
The initiative follows a pledge made last month by Emmanuel Macron.
Talks on Ukraine’s security
During his stay, Burnham is due to join a conference call with 34 leaders from the coalition of the willing.
The coalition brings together countries that have pledged to support Ukraine’s security in the event of a truce with Russia. Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz are expected to join by video link.
Burnham travelled to Kyiv with European Council President António Costa and Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden.
Kyiv prepares for further attacks
The visit is taking place on Ukraine’s Independence Day as Kyiv prepares for a new wave of Russian missile attacks.
Details of the commemorations have not been made public because of fears of a Russian attack.
Kyiv says Russia is stockpiling more ballistic missiles and considering the mobilisation of an additional 300,000 troops.
Russian ballistic missiles have struck infrastructure, warehouses and the Ukrainian capital, where they have caused an increase in civilian casualties.
Ukraine lacks interceptors for the US-made Patriot medium-range surface-to-air missile system. They are described as the only weapons capable of effectively countering these ballistic missiles.
Russia-UK relations deteriorate
The UK had already announced that it would allow Ukraine to conduct attacks using British drones. Moscow subsequently threatened that London would pay a “high price”.
Russia has withdrawn its ambassador to the UK without announcing a replacement. Andrey Kelin left the post last month after seven years in the role.
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