A visibly shaken Vladimir Putin appeared panicked as Britain dismissed Kremlin threats over UK-made drones used in deep strikes inside Russia. During a signing ceremony with Myanmar's president at the Grand Kremlin Palace, Putin seemed distracted, staring blankly and holding his brow as the UK called his bluff.
Kremlin warnings and UK response
Moscow's embassy in London claimed the UK was "deliberately betting on an escalation of the Ukrainian crisis while hypocritically declaring a desire for peace." State media reported the embassy branded Britain an "accomplice and accessory to bloody crimes," accusing London of seeking to "contain our country and inflict maximum damage on it through proxy means."
The embassy warned: "These actions by London will inevitably have consequences for which it will be held accountable. The deeper its involvement in the conflict and the greater its support for Kyiv's terrorist machine, the higher the price will be."
Burnham's defiance
Prime Minister Andy Burnham brushed off the rhetoric during a visit to Wolverhampton bus station. "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," he said.
Burnham added: "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." He said: "We are not fair-weather friends. We will be there in Ukraine's hour of need, and that won't change."
Impact of drone strikes
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."
Ukraine's long-range drone blitzes, built by two British companies, have caused fuel shortages, rolling blackouts, and an estimated £35 billion in economic damage. Targets have included oil refineries, naval bases, logistics networks, and warehouses for Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer. A senior defence source noted the strikes signal the UK is no longer nervous about hitting Russia where it hurts.
