The Kremlin has accused Britain of undermining efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine by providing Kyiv with information that could help it manufacture SCALP long-range missiles domestically, warning that facilities producing the weapons could be targeted.
The warning came on Monday as British Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Kyiv and pledged to maintain the United Kingdom’s military support for Ukraine.
The British government has said it would authorise defence company MBDA to provide information on UK-made components used in the Franco-British SCALP missile, potentially allowing Ukraine to produce the weapon locally.
Asked about the missile blueprints, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Britain of deliberately obstructing peace efforts.
“Britain is methodically and regularly throwing oil on the fire and methodically and regularly plotting schemes to prevent even the slightest progress in the peace process.”
Peskov said Russia was preparing to identify facilities involved in producing the missiles and other military equipment.
“Our armed forces are carrying out work accordingly, gathering the relevant intelligence to identify the production sites of such missiles and other military equipment, and taking measures to destroy these facilities,” Peskov said.
The SCALP is a long-range cruise missile capable of striking targets about 250 kilometres (155 miles) away.
France and Britain have supplied the weapon to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. However, Ukraine has not yet begun producing the missiles domestically.
Burnham travelled to Kyiv on Monday to attend Ukraine’s Independence Day commemorations, where he reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting the Ukrainian government.
“Despite Russia’s outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine’s defence,” Burnham said in a speech delivered ahead of a meeting with Ukraine’s international supporters.
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