Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
According to the former Kremlin adviser, attacks from “unknown sources” should not be ruled out.
A former Russian diplomat has raised the prospect of shadowy attacks against British manufacturing facilities.
Speaking on BBC Newsnight, Andrei Fedorov, an adviser to the Kremlin and a former deputy foreign minister, suggested that UK drone factories could face a “semi-military” response from “unknown sources” after London agreed to share missile blueprints with Kyiv.
The agreement allows Ukraine to produce components for the Scalp cruise missile domestically.
Fedorov noted that internal pressure on Moscow is mounting, explaining that “public opinion polls, it’s coming from journalists, from mass media” demanding action against Britain.
Fuel on the fire
Official Kremlin statements echoed that hostile tone. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused the UK of fanning the flames of war, adding that Russian forces are gathering data to locate and destroy future missile production sites.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham brushed off the threats during his first international trip to Kyiv. “Who started the fire? That’s the question, isn’t it?” he responded, reaffirming that UK support will not waver.
High-stakes diplomacy
Burnham chaired a meeting in Kyiv with the “coalition of the willing” alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The group promised to tighten sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet while ramping up military assistance.
The trip comes as Burnham prepares for crucial talks in the United States next month. He plans to lobby President Donald Trump alongside European leaders to secure essential air defence systems for Ukraine.
Air defence has become an urgent problem as winter approaches and Russian strikes hit civilian areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes to obtain 300 Patriot missiles, but American stockpiles are running low due to conflict in Iran.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Burnham said he felt “really confident” that the shortage was “fixable” through negotiating with international partners. Trump previously expressed caution about transferring technology, warning that “these weapons are incredible” and require careful handling.
