Kremlin warns UK drone factories could be attacked by 'unknown sources'

The Kremlin has been warned publicly that British factories making drones for Ukraine could become targets from "unknown sources", a Russian adviser said, linking the threat to London’s recent decision to share long-range missile plans with Kyiv. ([the-independent.com](https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/russia-threat-uk-drone-factory-b3038611.html?utm_source=openai))

Andrei Fedorov, a Kremlin adviser and former deputy foreign minister of Russia, told BBC Newsnight he could not "100% exclude" the possibility of a "semi-military" response and suggested attacks might come from unspecified third parties rather than directly from Moscow. ([the-independent.com](https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/russia-threat-uk-drone-factory-b3038611.html?utm_source=openai))

Fedorov framed the pressure behind such measures as domestic. He said that the mood in Russia, shaped by public opinion polls and media coverage, was creating a push for "certain measures" and warned of potential reactions beyond diplomatic protest. "Vladimir Putin is under serious pressure to take certain measures against the United Kingdom," he said. ([the-independent.com](https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/russia-threat-uk-drone-factory-b3038611.html?utm_source=openai))

The comments came after the UK agreed to share technical plans for components of the SCALP missile — the French-produced version of the British Storm Shadow long-range cruise missile — a step intended to let Ukraine produce such weapons domestically. The move has drawn sharp reaction from Moscow. ([the-independent.com](https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/russia-threat-uk-drone-factory-b3038611.html?utm_source=openai))

At the same time, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he plans to travel to the United States next month together with other European leaders to lobby President Donald Trump for further military assistance to Ukraine. The timing of Fedorov’s remarks coincided with Burnham’s overseas engagement on Kyiv’s defence needs. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/25/andy-burnham-us-new-york-ukraine-patriot-missiles?utm_source=openai))

Fedorov described a range of possible responses when he spoke to journalists, including technical or cyber actions and unspecified "political steps", and explicitly suggested that incidents affecting defence factories could be mounted by agents whose origin would be difficult to trace. His warning has increased concern in London about the security of companies involved in supplying Kyiv. ([the-independent.com](https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/russia-threat-uk-drone-factory-b3038611.html?utm_source=openai))

Photo: DPA)