Vladimir Putin issues warning over UK support for Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has issued an ominous new warning over the UK’s support for Ukraine saying that it is a “military secret” whether or not Russia is weighing up possible strikes on British military sites.

Last month, Andy Burnham announced that the UK government would release the blueprints for British-made components for the Scalp missile, which is the French version of the UK’s Storm Shadow cruise missile, so Ukraine could produce its own version.

But Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, told Britain to back off on its hostile stance towards Ukraine and said the UK risked taking the conflict to a new level. She told the same Moscow news briefing that Britain and France were "playing with fire" by supplying sensitive missile technology to Ukraine.

Responding to the UKs decision to provide Ukraine with the blueprints– and whether he is weighing up possible strikes on UK military sites on British territory – the Russian president said: “That's a secret, a military secret”.

He added that “any military facilities in Ukraine are our legitimate target, British or otherwise”.

Tensions between the Kremlin and Downing Street have continued to rise after it was revealed earlier this month that drones made by two British companies were used to attack targets including oil refineries in Volgograd and near Moscow and logistics hubs, according to The Times.

Russia accused Britain of “seeking to contain Russia and inflict maximum damage on it by proxy” and warned “London’s actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer”.

British military targets both inside and outside Ukraine could be hit by Russia in response to the UK’s support for Kyiv, Ms Zakharova said.

There are several British Army bases across Europe that could be at risk. This incudes bases in Estonia, Poland, Romania, Sennelager in Germany, Gibraltar and Cyprus.

In March, a British military base in Cyprus was targeted by an unmanned drone strike from Iran amid the conflict sparked by Donald Trump and Israel’s war with Tehran.

There were no casualties in the strike, which hit the airport runway at RAF Akrotiri, but “minor damage” was caused.

The strike came just hours after then-prime minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that he had granted permission for US forces to use UK bases.

In the UK there are over 2,000 military bases including reserve bases. Major UK Army hubs include; Aldershot Garrison in Hampshire, Colchester Garrison in Essex, Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire and Beacon Barracks in Staffordshire.

There are 34 Royal Air Force bases, including Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and RAF Coningsby in Lincoln.

Plymouth is home to Royal Marines and UK Commando Forces, while Devonport is responsible for the deep maintenance and defuelling of the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet.

Two British companies have been found to supply drones to Ukraine.

One drone was developed by BAE Systems subsidiary Callen-Lenz and tested by the Royal Navy.

The Nyran drone, which was built in Wiltshire, was used to strike Belgorod near the Russian border, according to theThe Times in a report earlier this month.

According to the defence company, the drone can fly more than 150 miles.

“We deliver a range of capabilities into the UK MoD as part of the UK’s support to the defence of Ukraine,” it told The Times.

“The Nyan uncrewed air system provides a rapidly developed platform proven in meeting emerging threats within highly contested environments.”

There is a second drone made in British factories and used by the Ukrainian military, but the name of this company has not been revealed for security reasons.

It is launched using a catapult system and has a range of more than 600 miles.

The UK has provided Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles, but the supply is finite, and their range is only around 155 miles.

Former chancellor Rachel Reeves also confirmed a £752m payment to Ukraine earlier this year as part of a larger £3.36bn loan.

In April, the UK announced the biggest ever drone package for Ukraine, delivering at least 120,000 drones for Kyiv this year.

The package included thousands of long-range strike drones, intelligence and reconnaissance drones, logistics drones and maritime capabilities, which are all battle-proven on Ukraine’s frontline.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the majority of this investment was set to be spent with UK-based companies, including Tekever, Windracers and Malloy Aeronautics.

Now, Britain will allow Kyiv access to classified technology so it can start its own production of Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles, capable of carrying out strikes deep within Russia.

British parts have also been found in Russian drones. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said microcomputers for flight control, manufactured in the UK, were discovered in drones involved in a deadly assault. Parts from other allied countries, including the US were also found.

He called for more stringent sanctions against British companies implicated in supplying components for Russian drones.