August 28, 2026 | 02:25 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Russia has issued a stern warning to the United Kingdom and France, threatening potential strikes against their military assets both within Ukraine and abroad after the British government agreed to share classified missile technology with Kyiv.
As reported by Russian state news agency TASS, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Britain and France were "playing with fire." Zakharova warned that Moscow would retaliate against any Ukrainian strikes involving British weaponry by targeting British military installations in Ukraine and elsewhere.
According to The Guardian, the diplomatic escalation followed an announcement by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham that the UK would provide Ukraine with technical blueprints for British-manufactured components. The technology pertains to the Scalp missile, the French variant of Britain’s Storm Shadow long-range cruise missile, which enables Ukraine to manufacture the weapons locally in collaboration with France.
Responding to the threats, a spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence told The Guardian that London remains unwavering in its commitment to Kyiv. The official affirmed that Britain stands "shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine" to provide necessary defensive equipment, adding that Moscow "should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government to stand against Russian aggression."
The escalating rhetoric comes amid broader security concerns across Europe. The Wall Street Journal reported that CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a unannounced visit to Moscow following US intelligence assessments indicating Russia might test NATO's defenses through localized incursions or cyberattacks, particularly in the Baltic region.
However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed reports of planned aggression against NATO members, telling reporters that such claims were unfounded "scare stories," according to The Guardian.
US President Donald Trump also sought to downplay the intelligence meeting, telling Axios that the visit was routine and expressing confidence that Russia would not launch an attack against alliance members.
Despite official dismissals, NATO's eastern flank remains on high alert. Highlighting the region's stance, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk told news outlet Super Express as reported by The Guardian that Warsaw is actively bolstering its military readiness, stating, "We are preparing for war, hoping it never happens."
Read: Moscow Confirms Visit of CIA Director John Ratcliffe
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