Burnham visits Kyiv on Independence Day to announce missile aid

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham will travel to Kyiv on Monday, August 24, 2026, for his first foreign trip since taking office, marking Ukrainian Independence Day with a show of support and a significant announcement on military aid. The visit comes as the UK seeks to bolster Ukraine’s defensive capabilities while navigating heightened diplomatic tensions with Moscow.

During the trip, Burnham will announce that the British government has authorized European defense manufacturer MBDA to release classified information regarding UK components for the SCALP long-range cruise missile. This missile is the French-produced variant of the UK’s Storm Shadow system. The decision is intended to enable France and Ukraine to establish local assembly lines for the missile within Ukraine, leveraging shared British and French technology.

Burnham stated that the move underscores enduring support. "In both the fight and the rebuilding to come, we will stand with Ukraine and deliver opportunities for people across both our countries," he said. "Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace."

The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with...