Kremlin accuses Britain of undermining peace talks by sharing missile data with Ukraine

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned on Tuesday that the United Kingdom is deliberately sabotaging any chance of a cease‑fire by allowing a defence contractor to hand over technical data on the SCALP cruise missile to Ukraine.

Kremlin’s warning

The Russian foreign ministry described the move as "methodically and regularly throwing oil on the fire" and said Moscow is gathering intelligence to locate and destroy facilities that could produce the weapon.

Britain is methodically and regularly throwing oil on the fire and methodically and regularly plotting schemes to prevent even the slightest progress in the peace process.

British defence support

During a visit to Kyiv for Ukraine’s Independence Day celebrations, Andy Burnham, the British prime minister, pledged continued military assistance. The UK government has authorised defence firm MBDA to share information on British components used in the Franco‑British SCALP missile, enabling Kyiv to attempt domestic production.

The SCALP missile, a long‑range cruise weapon with a range of about 250 kilometres, has been supplied by France and Britain since Russia’s full‑scale invasion in 2022, though Ukraine has not yet built any itself.

Despite Russia's outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine's defence.

Potential fallout

Russia says its armed forces are already working to identify and neutralise any production sites that could emerge from the shared data. The rhetoric suggests a possible escalation of covert strikes, adding another layer of risk to an already volatile front.

For Western allies, the episode underscores the delicate balance between bolstering Ukraine’s defences and avoiding actions that Moscow could portray as direct provocations, a calculus that will shape diplomatic and military coordination in the weeks ahead.