Burnham to visit Kyiv on first foreign trip and reaffirm UK support for Ukraine

Image source, ITN poolImage caption, Burnham met Andrii Sybiha‎, Ukraine's foreign minister, as he said it was a "privilege" to be there

Andy Burnham is marking his first foreign visit as prime minister with a trip to Kyiv - and will hand over blueprints so Ukraine can build its own long-range missiles.

The prime minister will chair his first meeting of the "coalition of the willing", set up by the UK and France under his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.

He is also set to accept an award on behalf of the British people recognising the UK's support for Ukraine and to take part in independence day events.

Crucially for the war effort, he will announce his government has agreed to allow defence company MBDA to declassify information on UK components for the long-range Scalp missile – the French equivalent of the UK's Storm Shadow.

Burnham will be reaffirming the UK's backing for Kyiv in the wake of escalating Russian strikes on Ukraine in recent weeks - including one on a shopping centre on Friday that killed at least 16 people.

Ahead of his visit on Monday, Burnham said: "On Ukraine's 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes.

"I am proud of the contribution our country has made to Ukraine and I want the Ukrainian people to hear it directly from me that our support will not waver. After all, Ukraine's security is our security."

He said the friendship Ukraine shared with the UK would "long outlast Russia's illegal war", adding: "Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace."

It comes after Moscow warned of "consequences" over the use of British drones by Ukraine in its recent ramping up of strikes on Russian infrastructure.

Kyiv has stepped up long-range attacks on Moscow and other Russian regions, targeting oil refineries and warehouses of the country's largest online retailer, Wildberries.

Image source, AFP via Getty ImagesThe long-range Scalp missile weighs 1,300kg and is 16.7ft (5.10m) in length. It is capable of hitting targets around 150 miles into Russia - not as far as Ukraine's deep strike drone capability but it is a significant step in showing the willingness of international partners to share weapons technology.

The maker describes them as designed to hit pre-planned, stationary targets. It can be used day and night in all weather, and has advanced navigation systems.

MBDA adds that it is in service with the Royal Air Force, the French Air Force, Italian Air Force and has been used in Iraq, Syria and Libya.

What are the Storm Shadow missiles Ukraine has fired into Russia?

"It's not just the front lines, it's shopping centres, it's housing that's being targeted by Russia in their illegal war and that's why we have said and we will continue to make sure our actions follow it that we will support Ukraine for as long as it takes," he added.

Pollard said Ukraine is in need of a variety of weapons, which is why the UK is supplying other air defence assets to take down Russian cruise missiles, and counter-drone measures.

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played

Watch: Burnham pledges support in first meeting with Zelensky

Ukraine hopes it can also be given more Patriot interceptor missiles, with Zelensky again asking for more of the weapon, which are used to combat Russia's ballistic missiles.

On Sunday, he said they have requested 360 of the missiles, but are "working with countries on additional options".

Ukraine has been relying on American supplies of the Patriots, but its stockpiles are running low due to the war in Iran, leaving Ukraine vulnerable to Russian attacks.

The Russian embassy in the UK has accused Britain of "deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis", saying "the deeper its involvement in the conflict... the higher the price it will pay".

In response, Burnham said last week: "We are not fair-weather friends, we will be there in Ukraine's hour of need and that won't change."

Asked on Tuesday about the Russian threat, Burnham maintained the UK was "providing support so that Ukraine can defend itself and that's been the British position all the way through this conflict, by previous prime ministers - it remains the case with me".

The visit comes as Russia confirmed its ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, had left his post in London in recent weeks.

Deadly exchanges between Russia and Ukraine continued overnight, with two children killed and seven injured when Ukrainian drone debris hit a private children's centre in Russia, local authorities say.

A warehouse belonging to online retailer Ozon was also set on fire, two days after Ukraine said it would target the company for selling dual use items that could be used by the military.

It was at the third night in the row that Ozon's warehouses had been targeted, with the company confirming on Saturday that a logistics centre in the Samara region had been hit and a warehouse in Orenburg on Sunday.

Three people were also killed in a Russian attack on the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

Rescuers dig through Ukraine mall wreckage as Zelensky condemns 'despicable' Russian strike

UK 'supports Ukraine 100%', Burnham says, after Russia's drone warning

UK-made drones strike targets inside Russia

PreviousNext0:40UK's rarest breeding bird rears chicks in secret location. 00:00:40, play videoUK's rarest breeding bird rears chicks in secret location1:14Why are Welsh women going to England for abortions? 00:01:14, play videoWhy are Welsh women going to England for abortions?1:30Can introverts make better leaders? 00:01:30, play videoCan introverts make better leaders?1:20Asha Bhosle: The most recorded artist in history. 00:01:20, play videoAsha Bhosle: The most recorded artist in history0:57Maisie Adam thinks we should abolish names. 00:00:57, play videoMaisie Adam thinks we should abolish names1:13Police name young men killed in A66 crash. 00:01:13, play videoPolice name young men killed in A66 crash0:43Could extreme heat change school summer holidays? 00:00:43, play videoCould extreme heat change school summer holidays?1:25Taking a spin around the Freedom 250 Grand Prix track. 00:01:25, play videoTaking a spin around the Freedom 250 Grand Prix track1:05'I've never prayed so much in such a short time' 00:01:05, play video'I've never prayed so much in such a short time'0:59Which animals have the weirdest tongues? 00:00:59, play videoWhich animals have the weirdest tongues?1:05How to access your memories. 00:01:05, play videoHow to access your memories0:3388-year-old weightlifting granddad goes viral on TikTok. 00:00:33, play video88-year-old weightlifting granddad goes viral on TikTok0:38Robot horse and rider steal the spotlight in China. 00:00:38, play videoRobot horse and rider steal the spotlight in China0:32What it's like messaging Dave to appear on your song. 00:00:32, play videoWhat it's like messaging Dave to appear on your song1:34'I was on a glamorous TV show, now I make sandwiches' 00:01:34, play video'I was on a glamorous TV show, now I make sandwiches'Top storiesLive. Burnham arrives in Ukraine with plans to hand over UK blueprints for long-range missiles

PCs killed in A66 crash were heroes, say families

How easy is it to find an NHS dentist? It depends where you live

How easy is it to find an NHS dentist? It depends where you live

Doctors said I was too young to have endometriosis at 13 - I had to take morphine to cope

Why students are being paid £2,000 to play computer games

The Papers: 'Pain beyond words' and 'Graduates face worst job market'

'I didn't speak the Queen's English': Why people worry about their accents

Rumours swirled after a Vietnamese teen was run over - then came a stunning admission

Viral 'Cat in the Hat' TikTok trend sparks fun fake videos but also real fear

Royal Watch: Get the latest royal stories and analysis with Sean Coughlan’s weekly newsletter

Meet the Premier League’s first female photographer

An intense psychological thriller with Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum

A poignant story of an extraordinary blended family

Diane Morgan's hit new comedy audiences are loving

Nearly three million Teslas recalled in China over hidden door handles

Australian shark attack victim grateful for 'second chance at life'

'Pain beyond words' and 'Graduates face worst job market'

Ex-cricket captains urge 'proper medical care' for Imran Khan

Viral 'Cat in the Hat' TikTok trend sparks fun fake videos but also real fear

Rumours swirled after a Vietnamese teen was run over - then came a stunning admission

PCs killed in A66 crash were heroes, say families

How easy is it to find an NHS dentist? It depends where you live

'I didn't speak the Queen's English': Why people worry about their accents