UK ‘adding fuel to the fire’ by giving weaponry blueprints to Ukraine, says Russia

UK shares missile blueprints with Ukraine on independence anniversary

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on Monday, his first foreign trip since taking office, to reaffirm the UK's support for Ukraine on the 35th anniversary of the country's independence. During his visit, Burnham announced that the UK would share classified technical information for British-made components of the SCALP/Storm Shadow long-range missile, enabling Ukraine to eventually produce its own versions.

According to multiple reports, the UK government has authorised defence firm MBDA to release classified details on UK components used in the Franco-British missile. This information would support Ukraine and France in establishing local assembly lines for the missile in Ukraine. The SCALP is the French version of the UK's Storm Shadow, both sharing technology and operating at ranges over 550km according to some reports, and around 250km according to others. The initiative is part of broader efforts to help Ukraine produce its own long-range strike capabilities.

Kremlin accuses Britain of hindering peace

The Kremlin reacted sharply to the announcement. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the UK was adding "fuel to the fire" and doing everything to prevent progress in the peace process. "Britain is involved in this war on the side of the Kyiv regime," Peskov said, as reported by multiple outlets. He also warned that Russian military forces were gathering intelligence to identify and destroy missile production sites.

"Britain methodically and regularly adds fuel to the fire and methodically and regularly hatches schemes to prevent even the slightest progress in the peaceful settlement process," Peskov said, according to The Straits Times. This echoes statements carried by the BBC, the Bangkok Post, and others, though some sources rendered the phrase as "throwing oil on the fire" or simply "adding to the fire." The official reaction was termed "extremely negative" by Russia.

Burnham retorts: 'Who started the fire?'

Reporters said Burnham pushed back on the Kremlin's characterization, asking, "Who started the fire? That's the question, isn't it?" during a press interaction in Kyiv. He further affirmed UK commitment to Ukraine "100% against this illegal war," a quote noted by The News International and The Straits Times. In his address at Kyiv's St. Sofia cathedral, Burnham said, "Despite Russia's outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine's defence," as reported by the Evening Standard and The Hindu.

Burnham also held a meeting of the " coalition of the willing" environment, which includes 34 countries, and announced that France would be helped in setting up assembly lines for long-range missiles in Ukraine. He highlighted the need to protect Ukraine from ballistic missiles and called for continued support.

Broader context and expert analysis

Kyiv marked its independence day as concerns grew of a fresh wave of Russian attacks. The BBC reported that Ukrainian authorities were``braced`` for missile attacks and noted reports of a drone hitting a residential block in Chernihiv, among other strikes. The BBC also reported that Ukraine is``short'' of Patriot interceptors, a weapon seen by Kyiv as critical to counter ballistic missiles.

Defence experts have commented on the significance of the blueprints. The BBC quoted expert Justin Crump saying the Storm Shadow missile could target Russian missile sites and is more effective against hardened bunkers. Christoph Bergs from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) said it would take time to set up production, as carried by BBC.

An analysis by Sky News security analyst Michael Clarke, relayed by TASS, cautioned that the missile's effectiveness relies on US approval, citing American intelligence for terrain-following mapping and US-made MALD decoys to overwhelm air defenses. Clarke said that without US cooperation, Ukrainian use of the missile would still be possible but less effective.

"The transfer of classified data for production of SCALP cruise missiles to Kiev will require the United States' approval, otherwise their use can hardly be effective," Clarke reprted, as per TASS. This detail provided an additional layer to the story, highlighting the interdependencies in Western weapons systems.

Other developments during the visit

Reports from the visit detailed several diplomatic interactions. According to The daily Star, Burnham laid a wreath at the National Military Cemetery and spoke with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who described the current as a "war period." Zelensky presented an award to Burnham on behalf of the British people, expressing gratitude for support.

Sources also noted that Russia had last month withdrawn its ambassador to the UK, Andrey Kelin, after seven years, leaving a charge d'affaires in name. The Guardian reported that Kyiv has warned of Russia building up ballistic missiles and possibly mobilising 300,000 additional troops, though these were attributed to Kyiv's statements without independent verification.

The UK's decision drew attention beyond just the military exchange. The Bangkok Post and The Straits Times reported that Moscow warned London last week of unspecified "consequences" after reports of British-made drone strikes against inside Russia for the first time. The Russian embassy in London was also reported to have accused the UK of supporting strikes on Russian oil refineries, alleging these actions would have consequences.

Outlook and support

Burnham's visit was widely covered across UK media, with some outlets highlighting his own retort, such as the The Independent's coverage of his `What was started the fire?` question, and others focusing on the Russian threat. The Daily Express and The Daily Star used alarmist language like ``terrifying warning'' and ``WW3 fears'' to underscore the heightened tensions, while LBC offered a more explanatory take.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen meanwhile announced an additional €6.1 billion in financial aid for Ukraine's defence systems, in addition to previously presented sums, underscoring continued EU support against Russian escalation.

As the provocations continue, Burnham has made clear that the UK will not back down, saying, "We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace," as quoted by the BBC. The unity among Western allies remains, with Macron and German Chancellor Merz reportedly joining the coalition meeting by video link, as noted in The Guardian and The Hindu.

Perspectives

• Kremlin: The UK's decision to share missile blueprints is an action that will fuel the fire and obstruct progress toward a peaceful settlement. The Russian military will identify and target missile production sites in retaliation.
• British Government: The UK defends its actions as supporting Ukraine's right to self-defence against unjustified invasion. Burnham emphasizes the continued support regardless of the threats, and points to Russia as the aggressor that started the conflict. The declassification is seen as a turning point in enabling Ukraine to produce its own defensive systems.
• Defence Experts: There is a recognition that while blueprints are valuable, Ukraine's ability to use them effectively depends on factors such as the pace of local assembly and, critically, US co-operation due to reliance on US-thought systems like MALD missiles. This adds a logistic and strategic dimension to the story.
• Coalition of the Willing: Represented by leaders including France, Germany, and EU officials, they echo a united front in supporting Ukraine, emphasizing air defense and financial aid, signaling western resolve.