Britain to allow Ukraine access to technology for long-range cruise missiles

BRITAIN's Prime Minister Andy Burnham greets President Volodymyr Zelensky during an event in Kyiv to mark Ukraine's Independence Day.—Reuters KYIV: The leaders of Britain and France pledged to provide Ukraine with stronger military support including access to classified technology and faster deliveries of air defence missiles at a meeting of allies to mark Kyiv's independence day celebrations. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, in Kyiv on his first foreign visit since taking office last month, urged the gathering of the 'Coalition of the Willing' to 'do everything we can' to bolster Ukraine's defences against Russian air strikes. President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people during more than four years of war. 'Ukraine absolutely wants peace, but it is not ready to simply surrender,' Zelensky said, adding that Russia would not halt its aggression even if Ukraine ceded to its demands for more territory in the country's east. Kremlin says use of classified British technology would 'add fuel to the fire' Wearing a traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirt, Zelensky thanked foreign leaders for travelling to Kyiv to show their support on the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's break from the Soviet Union. Standing alongside Zelensky and European Council President Antonio Costa, Burnham said his choice of Kyiv for his first foreign visit showed the importance he attached to assisting in Ukraine's defence. 'We are with you in this struggle all the way, heart and soul,' Burnham said, vowing to continue that support 'despite Russia's outrageous threats to my country.' 'This is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia. The moment to squeeze their ability to fund this illegal war,' Burnham said, calling for further economic sanctions. Britain announced it would allow Kyiv access to classified technology to start its own production of Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles, capable of carrying out strikes deep within Russia. France has already given its assent to license the technology for the European missile. In response, the Kremlin said the use of classified British technology would 'add fuel to the fire' of their worsening relations, after it warned London last week there would be 'consequences' for supplying drones to Kyiv. With Russia escalating its ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, Kyiv is suffering an acute shortage of the U.S.-made Patriot air defence interceptors the only weapon in its arsenal capable of downing such missiles. Zelensky said Ukraine needed at least 300 interceptors to make it through the winter, and he appealed to allies to deliver an air defence package before Russia renews its strikes on his country's energy infrastructure. Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2026