Kremlin speaks of 'semi-military' response to Britain over aid to Ukraine

Andrei Fedorov, whom BBC calls a Kremlin adviser and former deputy foreign minister of Russia, allowed a "semi-military" response from Russia to Britain's actions in support of Ukraine. Among possible targets he named British enterprises that produce drones for Ukraine, and suggested that attacks may be carried out supposedly from "unknown sources".

Fedorov made the statement on BBC Newsnight amid a new escalation of Moscow's rhetoric towards London after the British authorities' decision to allow the transfer of classified data about components of long-range SCALP missiles.

According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin is allegedly under "serious pressure" to take certain measures against Great Britain. When asked where this pressure comes from, Fedorov cited public opinion, journalists and Russian media.

Speaking about a possible response, he used the definition "semi-military" and stated that "something may happen" to enterprises and factories that manufacture drones for Ukraine.

At the same time, Fedorov suggested that formally such attacks might not be directly linked to Russia. According to him, factories could be attacked "not by Russia, but from unknown sources".

Threats came after Britain's decision on SCALP

New statements from Moscow appeared after the United Kingdom agreed to reveal to Ukraine and France classified information regarding British components of the long-range SCALP missile.

As previously reported by "Kurs Ukrainy", the British government allowed the defense company MBDA to transfer the relevant technical data necessary to advance plans for local assembly of SCALP in Ukraine. This concerns information about the British elements of the missile, not the transfer to Ukraine of the full production cycle.

SCALP is the French version of the British Storm Shadow. Both missiles are based on joint British-French technologies and are capable of carrying out long-range strikes.

The transfer of classified information is intended to remove one of the technological obstacles to organizing missile assembly on Ukrainian territory.

Peskov had already threatened missile production in Ukraine

This is the second public threat in a short time related to the British decision.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian military will try to locate production sites of SCALP and other military equipment in Ukraine and strike them.

At that time, threats concerned directly Ukrainian territory. The new statement by Fedorov expands the rhetoric to defense enterprises of the United Kingdom itself, although he did not claim specific plans by the Russian authorities and did not name any enterprises or timelines for possible actions.

The Kremlin has not officially announced intentions to attack British factories. Therefore, Fedorov's words should currently be considered as a statement by an adviser, not a confirmed plan by the Russian government or military command.

Against this background, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that in the coming weeks he will continue work to strengthen defense support for Ukraine. After his visit to Kyiv, he also announced a likely trip to the United States in September together with other European leaders for talks on Ukraine's defense needs.

Based on materials: BBC