A Kremlin adviser has warned that Britain could face a "semi-military" attack in response to its support for Ukraine. Former Russian deputy foreign minister Andrei Fedorov, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, said he could not "100% exclude" the prospect of such action, suggesting that British factories producing drones for Ukraine could be targeted by "unknown sources."
Threat Over Drone Production
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Mr Fedorov said that "sooner or later, there might be not only verbal, but maybe some visible reaction from Russia towards the UK." He elaborated that this could take various forms, including "technical reaction" or "hackers attack from unknown source, not from official level of course."
Pressed to define "semi-military," he said: "For example, something might happen with enterprises, with the factories which are producing drones for Ukraine, etc etc." Asked whether this meant British factories being attacked militarily by Russia, the adviser said: "They could be attacked, not by Russia, but by… from unknown sources."
Missile Blueprint Deal
The threat comes after the UK agreed to declassify blueprints for British-made components for the Scalp missile, a French-produced version of the Storm Shadow that has already been used to hit targets in Russia. The move has sparked fury from Russia, with President Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying it would add "fuel to the fire" of the conflict.
Prime Minister's Response
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who entered 10 Downing Street last month, made his first visit to Ukraine on Monday. Hitting back during his visit to Kyiv, Mr Burnham said: "Who started the fire? That's the question, isn't it?" He reiterated the UK's support for Ukraine, which has been under attack by Russia since 2022.
