"We will be there in Ukraine's hour of need": UK dismisses Kremlin threats over drone supplies
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said London will support Ukraine 100% against Russia and remain by its side "in its hour of need" after Moscow warned London of "consequences" for supplying drones to Kyiv.
Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Burnham said the UK is "doing what it has long said it would do, which is to support Ukraine 100% against this illegal war" being waged by Russian ruler Vladimir Putin.
Quote from Burnham: "We are not fair-weather friends. We will be there in Ukraine's hour of need, and that won't change."
Details: Ukraine uses drones to carry out long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries and logistics facilities.
The UK's Ministry of Defence has not confirmed whether British-made drones have been used in these strikes.
In June, the UK said it would supply Ukraine with 150,000 drones by the end of 2026 as part of a £752 million (US$996 million) funding package.
Background:
- Russia has accused the UK of "deliberately opting for escalation" following media reports that British-made drones have been used in strikes on targets inside Russia.
- In late July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and new UK PM Andy Burnham held their first meeting aboard an aircraft carrier stationed at a British naval base in Portsmouth.
- Burnham also announced that London would provide Ukraine with technology to protect Ukrainian drones.
- In early August, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced an expansion of sanctions against Russia, adding 19 more entities to its sanctions list.
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