UK to Share Classified Cruise Missile Technology With Ukraine

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on August 24, 2026, in Kyiv that the United Kingdom will share classified technical information to help Ukraine locally assemble SCALP long-range cruise missiles to bolster its military capabilities.

During his visit marking Ukraine's 35th Independence Day, Burnham authorized defense firm MBDA to release specifications for U.K.-made components of the air-launched precision missile, which features a range exceeding 250 kilometers.

Defense analysts noted that the joint British-French technical transfer will not yield operational weapons immediately, as building complex cruise missiles requires full-scale factories rather than small, decentralized drone assembly facilities.

The announcement prompted a sharp response from Moscow, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov asserting that Russian forces are actively working to identify potential missile manufacturing locations within Ukrainian territory.

"Who started the fire?" asked Andy Burnham, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Addressing the broader strategic defense needs of the nation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pointed out the growing discrepancy between diminishing Western defense supplies and escalating Russian attacks.

"Ukraine has been Europe's protector, not a drain on our security, but the frontline of keeping Europe safe," said Andy Burnham, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

To address the critical deficit in air defense interceptors, Burnham confirmed plans to travel to New York in September for the UN General Assembly to lobby U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Patriot missile stocks.

"I'm looking forward to going to New York in September," said Andy Burnham, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The British leader emphasized that resolving the shortage of Patriot PAC-3 interceptors will require multi-lateral negotiations involving various international partners.

"There are other players who could help in the mix who we have influence with. It's probably going to be a solution that involves a lot of layers and a lot of negotiation," said Andy Burnham, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Reaffirming London's commitment to Kyiv's security, Burnham issued an official statement to the Ukrainian public regarding the long-term defense partnership.

"On Ukraine’s 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes. I am proud of the contribution our country has made to Ukraine, and I want the Ukrainian people to hear it directly from me that our support will not waver. After all, Ukraine’s security is our security.

The friendship between our two countries will long outlast Russia’s illegal war. In both the fight and in the rebuilding to come, we will stand with Ukraine and deliver opportunities for people across both our countries. Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve.

We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace," said Andy Burnham, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

During his national address, President Zelenskyy outlined Ukraine's evolving military posture and long-range targeting strategy.

"are cutting into logistics and revenues," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also highlighted the necessity of expanding domestic production for Ukraine's FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles.

"should not be a rare species, but a common bird," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

He further added that the long-range systems were intended for strategic deterrent strikes inside Russian territory.

"should winter in Russia," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

Commenting on the broader geopolitical dynamic, Zelenskyy criticized Russian political assumptions regarding Ukrainian resilience.

"Putin is stuck in the past. He still sees an old-model Ukraine — the one that will keep quiet, swallow it, and endure. That Ukraine exists nowhere but in his little folders of briefing papers. Our country became something else long ago — not an observer but a player, not a victim but a fighter. […] Russia doesn’t want peace, it wants mobilization," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

Turning his focus to international diplomacy, the Ukrainian president urged Beijing to assume a firmer stance on global security threats.

"should no longer stay silent," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy condemned nuclear rhetoric and called for international leaders to curb escalatory behavior.

"When someone dresses up in a sailor suit and garrison cap and, mispronouncing some words, talks about a nuclear strike, China should cool that enthusiasm," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

He concluded by urging China to leverage its global status to uphold international stability against nuclear intimidation.

"China should prove its ambition to be one of the world’s leaders — not only economically and technologically, but also as a civilization — by making clear that no dictators should threaten the planet with their old warheads," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.