Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv for his first foreign visit on Ukraine's Independence Day, August 24, 2026, after traveling overnight by train. During the visit, he announced that the European defense firm MBDA has received authorization to share information regarding UK components for the long-range Scalp missile, the French designation for the UK's Storm Shadow missile.
These "deep precision strike" missiles utilize shared French and British technology. The newly authorized data sharing could potentially facilitate the production of these missiles in Ukraine.
Burnham is scheduled to participate in Independence Day celebrations and receive an award acknowledging the United Kingdom's support for Ukraine. This visit follows recent warnings from the Kremlin regarding the use of UK drones by Ukraine to strike targets deep within Russia. Moscow has stated that the UK will pay a higher price the more it becomes involved in the conflict.
"On Ukraine's 35th anniversary of independence, its people should be in no doubt: The UK is behind you," Burnham stated. "In the fight and the rebuilding to come, we stand with Ukraine. Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down till there is a lasting peace."
Meanwhile, Russia has asserted that relations with Britain are at an "unprecedentedly low level." The country has recalled its ambassador, Andrey Kelin, back to Moscow after a seven-year tenure, with Kelin having previously accused the UK of choosing a "path of confrontation" with Russia.