Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Russia Warns Britain Over Ukraine Missile Production Support
Russia is angry that Britain may help Ukraine make SCALP missiles inside Ukraine.
SCALP missiles can travel about 250 kilometers.
Britain plans to let the defense company MBDA share information about some British parts used in the missiles.
Russia says this could make the war worse and slow down peace talks.
Russia also says it is looking for factories that might produce the missiles.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain would keep helping Ukraine defend itself.
He made the promise during a visit to Kyiv on Ukraine's Independence Day.
Ukraine and its supporters were also discussing ways to protect cities from Russian air attacks.
The Kremlin accused Britain of obstructing peace by helping Ukraine produce SCALP cruise missiles.
Russia said it was gathering intelligence on missile-production sites and threatened to destroy them.
Britain plans to authorize MBDA to share information on UK components for Ukrainian domestic production.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham pledged continued military support for Ukraine during a Kyiv visit.
Ukraine's allies were expected to discuss air defenses as Russian attacks continue and the European Union released €6.1 billion in military aid.
- Who
- The governments of Russia, Britain, and Ukraine; MBDA; British Prime Minister Andy Burnham; and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
- What
- Russia condemned Britain's planned assistance for Ukrainian SCALP missile production and threatened facilities that manufacture them.
- When
- The warnings and Burnham's visit took place on Monday, during Ukraine's Independence Day commemorations.
- Where
- Burnham visited Kyiv, Ukraine; the potential production facilities were described as being in Ukraine.
- Why
- Britain said the assistance would support Ukraine's defense and domestic missile production, while Russia said it would escalate the war and hinder peace efforts.
Russia's position
Britain and Ukraine's position
Impact on peace efforts
Russia's position
The Kremlin said Britain's missile assistance was adding fuel to the fire, escalating the conflict, and preventing progress toward a negotiated settlement.
Britain and Ukraine's position
Britain said it would continue supporting Ukraine's defense, including measures that could strengthen Ukraine's ability to produce missiles domestically.
Missile-production facilities
Russia's position
Russia said its armed forces were gathering intelligence on facilities producing SCALP missiles and other military equipment and would target them.
Britain and Ukraine's position
Britain planned to authorize MBDA to share information on British missile components so Ukraine could produce the weapons domestically.
Response to Russian threats
Russia's position
Russia warned Britain that its expanding military support was escalating the war and previously threatened unspecified consequences over British-made drones allegedly used in strikes against Russian territory.
Britain and Ukraine's position
Burnham rejected the threats and said Britain would maintain its military backing for Ukraine.
- Weapon
- SCALP, a Franco-British long-range cruise missile
- Missile range
- About 250 kilometers, or approximately 150 miles
- Planned British assistance
- Authorization for MBDA to share information on UK components used in SCALP missiles
- Russian warning
- The Kremlin said Russia was identifying potential production sites and would take measures to destroy them
- Ukraine's production
- Ukraine has received SCALP missiles from France and Britain but has not yet produced them domestically
- British position
- Andy Burnham said Britain would continue supporting Ukraine's defense despite Russian threats
- Additional military aid
- The European Union announced €6.1 billion in military assistance for Ukraine, including funding for air defenses
