Russia threatens UK bases in response to Britain’s military support for Ukraine, warning that London’s stance risks escalating the war to a new level, according to statements from Moscow.
Maria Zakharova, Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said at a Moscow briefing that the UK and France were “playing with fire” by providing sensitive missile technology to Kyiv. She urged Britain to step back from what she described as a hostile policy.
The UK Ministry of Defence responded that Russia should not doubt the government’s resolve to stand against Russian aggression, both in Ukraine and in defence of the UK and its allies.
London announced on Monday that it would allow Ukraine access to classified technology to begin domestic production of Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles, which can strike targets deep inside Russia. France has already agreed to license technology for the European-designed weapon.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned the decision, saying it would pour “fuel on the fire” of the conflict. Visiting Kyiv earlier in the week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham countered, asking, “Who started the fire?”
The intervention from Moscow follows a period of rising tensions with Downing Street. Last week, Russia’s embassy in London cited reports that Ukrainian forces had used unmanned aircraft made by two British firms as evidence that the UK was choosing escalation.
Former senior ministers urged Mr Burnham not to yield. Former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind described the rhetoric as typical sabre rattling and warned that any significant cyber attack would meet the UK’s own offensive cyber capabilities.
Former defence secretary Grant Shapps said the greater risk to Britain was sabotage, cyber operations and hybrid tactics against defence industry sites, undersea cables and critical infrastructure. He argued that the government should harden defences now and made clear that threats from Moscow would not divide the UK from its allies or slow deliveries to Kyiv.
Moscow accused London of seeking to contain Russia and inflict maximum damage by proxy, warning that deeper British involvement would raise the price the UK would pay. “London’s actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer,” Russian officials said.
Mr Burnham, on his first trip abroad as prime minister, visited Kyiv this week and said Britain would not be deterred. Officials said the visit reaffirmed the UK’s “unwavering” commitment to Ukraine, which has provided a “goldmine” of combat data to strengthen British security.
During meetings in the capital, Mr Burnham urged partners to send more interceptor missiles to help defend Ukraine amid ongoing Russian bombardment. He co-chaired his first “coalition of the willing” session, saying allies were doing “everything we can” to draw on their own stocks and encourage others to do the same.
Russia threatens UK bases amid warning of hybrid attacks
While the prime minister was in Ukraine, Kremlin adviser Andrei Fedorov warned that British factories making drones for Ukraine could be targeted by “unknown sources.” The former Russian deputy foreign minister told BBC Newsnight that he could not “100 per cent exclude” the possibility of “semi-military” actions directed at Britain.
Pressed on what that meant, he suggested a “technical reaction,” potentially including hacker attacks not attributable to the Russian state, and said incidents could involve enterprises producing drones for Ukraine. Asked whether this implied attacks on British factories on UK soil, he replied that they could be struck “from unknown sources.”
A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and remains committed to providing equipment needed to defend against President Vladimir Putin’s invasion. The spokesperson reiterated that Russia should be in no doubt about the government’s determination to oppose aggression in Ukraine and in defence of the UK and its allies.