Andrei Fedorov, a former Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, has issued a stark warning that factories in the United Kingdom producing drones for Ukraine could become targets for “semi-military” or “unknown” forces. His comments, reported by CBS News, come in the context of escalating military support from the UK to Ukraine.
During an appearance on BBC’s Newsnight, Fedorov noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is under significant pressure from public opinion and Russian media to take action against the UK.
“Something might happen to the enterprises that manufacture drones for Ukraine,” Fedorov stated. “They could be attacked—not by Russia, but by unknown sources.” He did not rule out the possibility of semi-military actions and suggested that cyberattacks could also occur from these unidentified entities, though he clarified they would not be official actions.
Fedorov’s remarks followed an announcement earlier this week by British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who revealed a new agreement during a visit to Kyiv. The deal involves the UK providing secret technology to enable Ukraine to produce a British-French designed cruise missile locally.
The UK has been supplying British cruise missiles to Ukraine since 2023, but this new arrangement is expected to facilitate the domestic manufacturing of the French SCALP missile, which includes British components.
In recent strikes against Russia, Ukraine has utilized its own cruise missiles known as FP-5 or Flamingo, developed by domestic defense manufacturer Fire Point. The French cruise missile is noted for its precision, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and may allow Ukraine to broaden its attacks on well-protected targets, such as Russian command posts.
Fedorov’s comments came after Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov condemned the UK-Ukrainian agreement, accusing the UK of increasingly engaging in the conflict.
Peskov indicated that the Russian military is gathering intelligence on potential sites for producing the French missiles in Ukraine, targeting these manufacturing facilities.
Last week, the Russian embassy in London accused the UK of exacerbating the conflict, claiming that drones made in Britain had been used in Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. The embassy warned that increased UK involvement would lead to more serious consequences.
The UK has significantly expanded its drone support for Ukraine. In April, the UK Ministry of Defence announced a support package that includes at least 120,000 drones to be delivered to Ukraine this year, comprising long-range attack drones, reconnaissance drones, and logistical support drones.
On Monday in Kyiv, Burnham reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supplying Ukraine with necessary weapons for self-defense, stating, “This is the time to keep the pressure on Russia and limit its ability to finance this illegal war.” He emphasized that Ukraine is the defender of Europe, serving as the frontline in ensuring European security.
