Putin ally warns British drone factories for Ukraine could be targeted

A key ally of Vladimir Putin has warned that British factories could face attacks following Prime Minister Andy Burnham's increased support for Ukraine.

UK's Latest Support for Ukraine

During a visit to Kyiv this week, Burnham announced that the UK would provide Ukraine with blueprints for building long-range missiles. It was also confirmed last week that British drones had been used in Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russian territory.

Putin Adviser's Warning

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Andrei Fedorov — a Putin adviser and former Russian deputy foreign minister — said there could be significant backlash as a result.

Fedorov suggested there could be a "technical reaction" or a "hackers' attack from unknown sources – not from an official level, of course." He said there could be different "political steps" and that he cannot "100% exclude a semi-military" response.

"For example, something might be happening with enterprises, the factories, which are producing drones for Ukraine etc. etc.," he said.

When presenter Adam Fleming asked, "British factories in Britain could be attacked militarily by Russia?" Fedorov replied: "They could be attacked not by Russia but from unknown sources."

Asked if he would support such action, Fedorov said: "No, I don't think it's OK because the problem is we are now facing in front of the danger that Ukraine conflict will be beyond Ukrainian borders, and remembering that the UK is a member of Nato, and UK is a nuclear state. The risk is of course much higher than it was before, even a couple of months ago."

Dismissal of International Law

When Fleming questioned how such an attack could be legal under international law, Fedorov responded: "Frankly, who cares about international law? The problem is for Russian society that so many people are saying the president is waiting too long, not answering the UK. The answer should be made even earlier than now."

Asked again why there would be a military response, he said: "The UK is, from Kremlin's point of view, is a much more involved [now]."

He added that "Moscow is considering steps by the UK prime minister as direct military involvement in this conflict" and that "hackers can do anything," acknowledging that security and government facilities would likely be targeted, especially those related to drone production.

Escalating Tensions Between UK and Russia

The remarks follow a growing dispute between the UK and Russia over British support for Ukraine.

On Monday, Moscow accused Burnham of adding "fuel to the fire" of the Ukraine war after the PM's decision to give Kyiv key missile blueprints.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: "Britain is participating in this war on the side of the Kyiv regime. Britain is methodically and consistently adding fuel to the fire and methodically and consistently plotting to prevent a peaceful settlement process."

Burnham dismissed the comments, responding: "Who started the fire? That's the question, isn't it."

Speaking during his first official visit to Kyiv as prime minister, Burnham told broadcasters he would not be deterred by the "outrageous threats" from Russia. He insisted he had not gone further than his predecessors in backing Ukraine.

"We're not doing anything different. This is continuity. We've said we would support Ukraine. We did so from the start and we're carrying on support," he said.