Russia has warned the United Kingdom that it could face a stronger response over its continued military support for Ukraine, raising fresh concerns about tensions between Moscow and London.
The warning came after UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Kyiv and announced that European defence company MBDA had been given permission to share information about UK-made components used in the long-range SCALP missile. The move could allow Ukraine to begin producing the missiles domestically.
According to the Daily Mail, former Russian deputy foreign minister Andrey Fedorov said Moscow considers Britain’s involvement in supporting Ukraine to be direct participation in the war. He warned that Russia’s response could go beyond verbal criticism.
Fedorov suggested that possible measures could include cyberattacks, political actions and what he described as a “semi-military” response. He said British factories involved in producing drones or components for missiles could potentially become targets of actions carried out by unidentified actors.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also warned that a “Pandora’s box” has been opened, according to the report.
The comments come as Western countries continue providing military assistance to Ukraine amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Any direct attack on British facilities would represent a major escalation, although there is currently no confirmation that Russia has decided to carry out such an attack.
The latest warnings highlight the growing risks surrounding Western military support for Ukraine and the increasingly tense relationship between Russia and the UK.