Andy Burnham has warned Vladimir Putin Britain will continue to “support Ukraine 100%” after Russia threatened the UK over drone strikes. Moscow had pledged “consequences” after reports Ukraine used drones made by two UK companies to strike targets on Russia’s mainland for the first time.
Russia’s warning to the UK
Russia’s embassy to the UK accused Britain of “seeking to contain Russia and inflict maximum damage on it by proxy”, and pledged the deeper Britain’s involvement, “the higher price it will pay”.
During a visit to Wolverhampton bus station, Mr Burnham was asked what his message to Russian President Putin was in response. He said: “This is the UK doing what it has long said it would do, which is to support Ukraine 100% against this illegal war led by Vladimir Putin.
UK’s stance on Ukraine
“We are providing support so that Ukraine can defend itself, and that’s been the British position all the way through this conflict by previous prime ministers. It remains the case with me. We are not fair-weather friends. We will be there in Ukraine’s hour of need, and that won’t change.”
Kyiv has stepped up its attacks on Russia this year, with long-range missiles and swarms of drones increasingly targeting military industries and energy facilities. Last week a massive Ukrainian attack ignited the largest remaining logistics hub of "Russian Amazon" Wildberries just 25 miles south of the Kremlin.
Officials back Ukraine
The blast at the site in Koledino, Podolsk District, was among the targets hit during a 600-drone onslaught which the region's governor Andrey Vorobyov has called "one of the most massive drone attacks in recent times".
Also slapping down Putin was Lilian Greenwood, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the DWP. Speaking to Times Radio, she said: “Our message back to the Russians is that we stand with Ukraine. “We've stood with Ukraine throughout this time when the Russian illegal invasion. We will continue to do so. We won't be bullied in this way.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion. “Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this Government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies.”
