UK. August 19 : The UK has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine after Russia warned that Britain would face “consequences” over its involvement in Kyiv’s military efforts.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK would continue to stand by Ukraine, stressing that Britain was “not fair-weather friends” and would remain with Kyiv during its “hour of need.”
His remarks came after the Russian embassy in London accused Britain of “deliberately opting for an escalation” of the conflict following confirmation that British-made drones had been used in recent Ukrainian strikes inside Russia.
The embassy warned that “the deeper its involvement in the conflict… the higher the price it will pay”, although Moscow did not specify what form any potential retaliation might take.
Ukraine has intensified its long-range attacks on Russian territory in recent weeks, striking oil refineries, warehouses and logistics facilities. Hundreds of Ukrainian drones have also been launched towards the Moscow region.
British-made drones have reportedly been used in some of the latest attacks. Two UK companies are known to have produced drones supplied to Ukraine, while a military source told the BBC that British drones had been involved in recent strikes that reportedly caused more than £35 billion in economic damage.
The UK has been one of Ukraine’s strongest international supporters since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Britain has supplied Kyiv with weapons, including Storm Shadow missiles, and has trained Ukrainian troops.
Russia has repeatedly criticised Britain’s military and political support for Ukraine. Anti-UK rhetoric has also intensified on Russian state television, where some commentators and lawmakers have called for attacks against Britain.
Meanwhile, the war has continued to inflict heavy casualties on both sides.
In the latest Russian attacks on Ukraine, 17 people were killed, including 10 villagers in Pechenihy in the Kharkiv region. Russian officials, meanwhile, reported that five people were killed in Ukrainian strikes in the Rostov region over the weekend.
The escalation has also raised concerns about the potential risks to critical infrastructure. The International Atomic Energy Agency said it had been informed that a drone exploded at a bus stop used by workers travelling to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. One person was reportedly killed and three seriously injured, although no damage to nuclear safety or security was reported.
Despite Russia’s warnings, Burnham maintained that Britain’s position had not changed.
“We will be there in Ukraine’s hour of need,” he said, signalling that London intends to continue supporting Kyiv despite Moscow’s increasingly direct threats.
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