UK Prime Minister guarantees 100% support for Ukraine

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said London will support Ukraine 100% against Russia and remain by its side "in ​its hour of need" after Moscow warned London of "consequences" over drone supplies to Kyiv.

As reported by Reuters, Burnham said the UK is "doing what it has long said it would do, ​which is to support Ukraine 100% against this illegal war" led by ​Russian ruler Vladimir Putin.

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

Ukraine uses drones to carry out long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries and logistics facilities.

The UK's Ministry of Defence has not confirmed whether British-made drones have been used in these strikes.

In June, the UK said it would supply Ukraine with 150,000 drones by the end of 2026 as part of a £752 million (US$996 million) funding package.

Russia has accused the UK of "deliberately seeking escalation" after reports in the media said British-made drones had been used in strikes on targets inside Russia.

In late July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Burnham held their first meeting aboard an aircraft carrier stationed at the British naval base in Portsmouth.

Burnham also announced that London would provide Ukraine with technology to protect Ukrainian drones.

In early August, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced an expansion of sanctions against Russia, adding 19 more entities to its sanctions list.