The new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Andy Burnham will officially announce today, August 24, that the United Kingdom is providing Ukraine with classified technical data and drawings that will allow the country to launch its own production and local assembly of long-range cruise missiles. The decision comes at a key moment - Ukraine's Independence Day. It marks a new phase of Western military aid aimed at eliminating Kiev's dependence on foreign arms supplies.
Green light for classified MBDA components
According to an official statement from Downing Street, the British government has given permission to the European consortium to produce missile systems MBDA to declassify and share sensitive information regarding British components used in the SCALP long-range missile. This is the French version of the famous British Storm Shadow cruise missile, with the two weapons sharing a common technological base.
Up until now, France was ready to hand over the documentation, but local production on Ukrainian territory was blocked due to the lack of British consent to share intellectual property and UK patents. With this step, Ukraine and France will be able to deploy joint pipelines directly on Ukrainian soil.
First international visit and "Coalition of the willing"
This visit to Kiev is Andy Burnham's first foreign mission since taking office as Prime Minister following the Labour Party's election victory. During his visit, Burnham will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and will co-chair a key meeting of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing“. This format involves 34 countries committed to long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will join the online talks.
“Ukraine's security is our security. We will be there for Ukraine in its hour of need and that will not change“, Burnham said before his arrival, quoted by the British government's press service. So far, London has provided more than 25 billion pounds ($34 billion) in military and humanitarian support. The new pact complements another large-scale British initiative – Project Brakestop, aimed at accelerating the development of low-cost long-range strike weapons.
Diplomatic tremors and hybrid threats from the Kremlin
Downing Street's decision has already caused serious tension with Moscow. Last week, the Russian embassy in London warned of "grave consequences" after reports emerged that drones with British components had been used in successful strikes deep inside Russia's rear against oil refineries and logistics centres.
In the run-up to Burnham's visit, it was revealed that The Kremlin has recalled its long-serving ambassador to the United Kingdom, Andrey Kelin, without appointing a replacement - a clear signal of a deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two countries. NATO intelligence agencies are also warning of an intensification of Russia's "hybrid warfare" in Europe, expressed in cyberattacks and attempts to sabotage weapons factories in countries such as Estonia, Italy and Bulgaria.
Historical symbolism for Zelensky and a strategic "Drone Deal" with Norway
In the diplomatic sphere, events are developing dynamically during the celebrations of the National Flag Day in Kiev. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was presented with the historical flag of Czechoslovakia from 1968, which survived the Soviet occupation of Prague. The Ambassador of Ukraine to the Czech Republic, Vasyl Zvarych, emphasized to Evropeyskaya Pravda that traces of the blood of Czech fighters who defended the Prague radio station against Soviet tanks are still visible on the flag. The flag has also crossed the front line in Ukraine, where fighters have attached a blue-and-yellow ribbon to it.
On the same day, Ukraine and Norway officially signed a large-scale defense agreement, known as the "Drone Deal", combined with a joint declaration of strategic partnership. As reported by LIGA.net, the agreement provides for long-term technology exchange, joint production of unmanned systems and strengthening of air defense. Norway will invest in Ukrainian combat experience, while at the same time providing a new package of financial assistance for the restoration of critical energy infrastructure.
UN Security Council meets in emergency session on Independence Day
Today, August 24, on Ukraine's Independence Day – The UN Security Council is meeting in an emergency session at the initiative of five European countries (Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia and the United Kingdom).
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sibiga announced on the social network X, quoted by RBK-Ukraine, that the focus of the debates will be on the escalating Russian missile and drone terror against civilian targets. The main reason for the convening is the devastating double strike on a shopping mall in Krivoy Rog, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries. Sibiga added that the international community will also discuss targeted Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports, which are blocking grain exports and threatening global food security. The meeting will be chaired by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lukke Rasmussen.