Andy Burnham in Kyiv pledges support and Storm Shadow missile tech
Prime Minister Andy Burnham visits Kyiv on first foreign trip, announces UK will share Storm Shadow missile technology with Ukraine.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has arrived in Kyiv on his first overseas trip since taking office, marking Ukraine's 35th Independence Day and announcing a significant deepening of military cooperation. He travelled by train and was greeted by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister before meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky and other leaders.
In a speech at Independence Square, Burnham pledged unwavering British support, saying: "We are with you in this struggle all the way, heart and soul." He accepted an award on behalf of the British people, recognising the UK's backing for Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion began.
The centrepiece of the visit is an agreement to share British technology for the Storm Shadow cruise missile, known as Scalp in France. The UK will declassify information on British components, allowing Ukraine to start producing its own long-range missiles domestically. This follows a similar commitment from France, and is intended to reduce Ukraine's reliance on finite allied stockpiles.
Military analysts note that Ukraine has already used Storm Shadow effectively against hardened Russian targets, but the new deal could enable sustained deep-strike campaigns if production can be scaled up. However, experts caution that licensing is different from production, and meaningful output may take months or longer.
The visit also includes Burnham chairing a session of the Coalition of the Willing, a group of around 35 countries supporting Ukraine. He is expected to discuss further air defence needs, particularly as winter approaches and Russia continues ballistic missile attacks.
Russia reacted sharply to the announcement. A Kremlin spokesperson said the UK was "participating in this war on the side of Kiev" and "adding fuel to the fire". Burnham dismissed the criticism, saying British support would not waver.
The trip continues a pattern of strong UK backing for Ukraine, following the lead of previous prime ministers. It also signals Burnham's intent to be seen as a reliable ally on the world stage, despite his limited foreign policy experience before taking office.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Burnham's first international trip as Prime Minister was to Ukraine, where he carried classified British missile technology, including secret designs for Scalp missiles for production in Ukraine. | |||
| Burnham will chair a session of the coalition of the willing, with French President Macron and German Chancellor Merz attending. | · | ||
| The Kremlin said Britain is taking part in the war on Ukraine's side. | · | ||
| Burnham received an award from President Zelensky on behalf of the British people. | · | · | |
| Burnham said UK support for Ukraine is unwavering. | · | · | |
| Existing Storm Shadow stockpiles are running low. | · | · | |
| France has already agreed to share Storm Shadow missile technology. | · | · | |
| Macron suggested Ukraine should be licensed to build the Storm Shadow missile. | · | · | |
| Russia warned of consequences for the UK, and the Russian ambassador to London has left and not been replaced. | · | · | |
| Russia warned there would be consequences for the UK. | · | · | |
| The deal will not solve Ukraine's immediate need for ballistic missile defence. | · | · | |
| Ukraine has been using Storm Shadow missiles effectively against Russian targets. | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
ITV focused on the significance of the missile technology transfer, explaining the Storm Shadow/Scalp system and the practical implications for Ukraine. It framed the visit as a key moment in the UK-Ukraine relationship, with a slightly cautious note about the time needed for production.
- “Andy Burnham is headed to Ukraine for what will be his first international trip as Prime Minister.”
- “Essentially, Britain is releasing its secret designs for parts of the French missiles, the scalp missiles.”
- “It may be a while before that process is up and running and could be some time before we start to see it having an impact in the war, but it is a sign of Andy Burnham's commitment to Ukraine militarily.”
BBC News provided the most detailed technical and strategic analysis, including expert commentary from Aaron Dawson. It highlighted the contrast with US reluctance on Patriot missile production, and stressed the immediate need for defensive systems over offensive capabilities.
- “The Prime Minister Andy Burnham will be visiting Ukraine's capital today on his first overseas trip as UK Prime Minister.”
- “He'll mark 35 years of independence from the Soviet Union and will announce an agreement for the country to start producing its own models of the British Storm Shadow Cruise missile.”
- “But today's announcement does mean that Ukraine is undergoing a departure from the status quo, which is a reliance on finite British and French and Italian stocks of Storm Shadow towards the possibility of producing and replenishing these missiles domestically.”
Sky News Mornings focused on the political symbolism and the defiant nature of the move, with correspondent Alex Rogers describing it as 'bullish' and an 'act of defiance against Russia'. It also noted the Russian ambassador's departure and the broader security context for Europe.
- “Andy Burnham will make his first International trip as Prime Minister today traveling to Ukraine to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky and other world leaders”
- “The UK's agreed agreeing to provide Ukraine with blueprints to provide that to build their own missiles”
- “I think it's quite bullish from the UK government to do this It's an act of defiance against Russia”
This programme offered a deeper military analysis with Dominic Waghorn, explaining the Storm Shadow's capabilities, Macron's earlier move, and the critical shortage of defensive interceptors. It also reported the Kremlin's immediate reaction and included a defence minister's warning about Russian ambitions beyond Ukraine.
- “Andy Burnham is in Kyiv on his first international trip as Prime Minister. He promised that the UK won't back down from its support for Ukraine”
- “It's a day that is part commemorative, it's part diplomatic and geopolitical, but it's partly very military in the sense that Britain's Prime Minister is taking within the plans, if you like, the blueprints for a very crucial bit of military kit.”
- “The Russians don't have enough ballistic missiles to tip things in a military sense to take over Ukraine or to make their invasion successful. But they do have the ability to make life very hard for the Ukrainians indeed in winter.”
BBC News Now provided live coverage of Burnham's arrival and speech, including the full text of his address. It emphasised the emotional and symbolic elements, such as the award to the British people, and explained the missile's technical specifications.
- “The British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is in Ukraine. It's his first visit to the country. And while he's there, he will hand Volodymyr Zelensky secret blueprints for storm shadow missiles.”
- “I will honor every commitment my country has made to Ukraine in full.”
- “Despite Russia's outrageous threats to my country, we will continue our support for Ukraine's defense.”
ITV Lunchtime News focused on the Russian reaction and Burnham's response, framing the visit as a direct challenge to Moscow. It also reported on the award ceremony and the upcoming Coalition of the Willing meeting, with correspondent Harry Horton on the ground.
- “Andy Burnham is in Ukraine making his first foreign trip as Prime Minister.”
- “The Russians have responded to that news today. A spokesperson for Vladimir Putin saying that the Kremlin views this extremely negatively and said that the UK is participating in this war on the side of Kiev, adding fuel to the fire.”
- “Well, we're unwavering in our support, and that is why I am here, to send that very clear message to the Ukrainian people on their independence day”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.