This is a breaking story, more to follow. See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy SOPHIA STANFORD, NEWS REPORTER Published: 09:59 BST, 27 August 2026 | Updated: 10:44 BST, 27 August 2026
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has told Britain to reverse its 'hostile line' on Ukraine or Russia could hit UK military targets.The warning comes after Prime Minister Andy Burnham was told Britain could face Russian retaliation over its ‘unwavering’ support for Ukraine and to be prepared for a 'direct response' from Moscow.On Monday, the new premier swapped blueprints for the long-range Scalp missile with Moscow's enemy in a visit to Kiev, that would allow Ukraine to build their own weapons, rather than rely on imports.Moscow accused the UK of 'participating' in his war with Ukraine and warned that their forces were intent on identifying 'the production sites of such missiles, the production sites of other military equipment' in order to destroy them.As such, UK security chiefs have been primed for a Kremlin attack on Britain – either towards Mr Burnham or by targeting defence sites. Major UK defence manufacturers participating in weapons production are believed to be stepping up their physical security and adopting measures to prevent cyber attacks. Putin's warning comes a day after CIA director John Ratcliffe made a surprise trip to Moscow where he issued a warning to the Kremlin not to escalate the conflict in Ukraine, either by using a nuclear weapon or targeting Kyiv’s Western allies.The 'just don't do it' advice was based on US intelligence that Russia is primed to act immediately and dramatically after its campaign on the battlefield stalled again. Putin has told Britain to reverse its 'hostile line' on Ukraine or Russia could hit UK military targets Andy Burnham with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday where the new premier handed over missile blueprints
