Russia has warned that it could retaliate against the United Kingdom for its support of Ukraine, including by striking military targets inside and outside Ukraine, as reports said the director of the CIA warned the Kremlin against attacking Nato.

On Monday, Andy Burnham, the UK’s prime minister, said the government will allow Kyiv access to classified technology to help it begin producing Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles. He said France has also agreed to provide missile technology. Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said on Thursday that Britain and France were “playing with fire”.

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Burnham Accuses Russia of ‘Outrageous Threats’ in Kyiv

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In response to the latest Russian threats, a Ministry of Defence official reiterated UK support for Kyiv. They said Britain is committed to supplying equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russia’s “illegal invasion”, and warned that Russia should not doubt the government’s resolve to stand against aggression both in Ukraine and against the UK and its allies.

CIA Director Visit and Nato Attack Warning

The Wall Street Journal reported that John Ratcliffe, the CIA chief, visited Moscow on Tuesday after a US intelligence assessment that Russia might be preparing to test Nato with a limited assault on an allied country. The assessment described a range of possible actions, from a cyber-attack to a small-scale incursion, with a Baltic state considered likely.

Russia has repeatedly issued threats against western allies during the war in Ukraine, including statements interpreted as veiled nuclear warnings and others aimed at diplomatic missions in Kyiv.

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CIA Director Warned Russia Against Attacking NATO Countries

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Asked about the report of Ratcliffe’s visit, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, dismissed it on Thursday by saying that much of the material being published was designed to cause alarm and had no link to Russia’s intentions.

Missile Interceptor Shortages in Europe

The focus on Russia’s intentions has coincided with fresh reporting about shortfalls in missile interceptors available to European forces. The Associated Press said the US military is facing a “beyond critical” shortage of advanced missile interceptors in Europe, citing a US defence official in Europe and a Nato official, and linking the shortage largely to the disruption of supplies during Donald Trump’s conflict with Iran.

The report said the most serious gap concerns Patriot missile interceptors, which can be used against high-speed ballistic missiles. The Nato official confirmed low Patriot inventories among American and Nato forces stationed in Europe. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Escalation Signals and European Readiness

Russia is widely viewed as considering further escalation after months of increased Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refining infrastructure and other sites that have added economic pressure. The Kremlin’s rhetoric has also grown more hardline as the war has moved closer to Russia’s borders.

Recent statements included a nuclear warning directed at Japan linked to the disputed Kuril Islands, alongside descriptions of relations with the United States as being in a “crisis” at a historic low.

The Ratcliffe warning, according to reports, resembled an earlier caution given by his predecessor, William Burns, in 2021 ahead of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow denied it was planning at the time.

Meanwhile, Nato countries neighbouring Russia have begun increasing readiness. Poland said this week it received its first shipment of South Korean Black Panther main battle tanks, with plans to deploy them near the border with Russia’s Kaliningrad region. Poland’s deputy defence minister, Cezary Tomczyk, said Warsaw was preparing for the possibility of a full-scale conflict and, in remarks reported by Super Express, said the country was preparing for war while hoping it would not happen.

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28 August 2026

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4 hours ago, webfact said:

Russia has warned that it could retaliate against the United Kingdom for its support of Ukraine, including by striking military targets inside and outside Ukraine, as reports said the director of the CIA warned the Kremlin against attacking Nato.

I think the UK and NATO should treat this threat seriously. And I think they are, thus the CIA Director's unplanned Mission to Moscow.

Funny how he singles out the UK, so many countries are helping Ukraine, Poland, Dutch, Germans, Sweden, Finland, Japan, Canada, Baltic's, to name just a few

2 minutes ago, Seppius said:

Funny how he singles out the UK, so many countries are helping Ukraine, Poland, Dutch, Germans, Sweden, Finland, Japan, Canada, Baltic's, to name just a few

He smells weakness.

He knows that Burnham is ineffective, illegitimate and has absolutely no idea what he is doing.

The UK is doing everything it can to start a war. But now, they are practically isolated, even among other western countries. When this becomes clear and definitive, Russia may decide to respond to yet another British provocation.

1 hour ago, pub2022 said:

The UK is doing everything it can to start a war. But now, they are practically isolated, even among other western countries. When this becomes clear and definitive, Russia may decide to respond to yet another British provocation.

Not sure about the isolation.

AI Mode conversation: which countries support Ukraine apart from the UK?

The primary countries supporting Ukraine with financial, military, and humanitarian aid include the United States and Germany, followed closely by a broad international coalition of over 40 Western nations.

The collective support is coordinated globally through the 57-member Ukraine Defense Contact Group (which includes all 32 NATO member states), alongside significant institutional funding from the European Union.

📊 Largest Individual Country Donors

According to data tracked by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, the top individual state donors (excluding the UK and EU institutions) providing the highest absolute volume of aid are:

United States 🇺🇸: The single largest provider of individual-country aid, providing massive tranches of advanced military equipment, air defence systems, and financial budget support.

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Germany 🇩🇪: The largest individual donor in Europe, leading the continent in both heavy military hardware (tanks, air defences) and humanitarian aid.

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France 🇫🇷: A major European contributor providing long-range missiles, armored vehicles, and leading security initiatives.

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Italy 🇮🇹: Provides substantial financial backing, humanitarian supplies, and specialized military hardware.

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Japan 🇯🇵 & Canada 🇨🇦: Crucial non-European G7 allies providing billions in financial, economic, and non-lethal humanitarian aid.

📈 Major European Contributors (By GDP & Key Coalitions)

While larger economies provide higher absolute numbers, several smaller nations provide the highest support relative to their economic size (GDP):

• The Nordic Block (Denmark 🇩🇰, Sweden 🇸🇪, Norway 🇳🇴, Finland 🇫🇮): Highly active donors. Countries like Denmark and Sweden are among Ukraine's top military backers, frequently pooling funds to purchase air defences and fighter jet infrastructure.

• The Baltic States (Estonia 🇪🇪, Latvia 🇱🇻, Lithuania 🇱🇹): Consistently rank at the very top globally for aid committed as a percentage of their own GDP.

• Poland 🇵🇱: A vital logistical hub for nearly all Western aid entering Ukraine, as well as a primary host country for millions of Ukrainian refugees.

🌐 Other Notable Supporters

Global assistance extends outside of Europe and North America to include:

Australia 🇦🇺 and New Zealand 🇳🇿 (military vehicles, ammunition, and financial packages).

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South Korea 🇰🇷 (humanitarian assistance and financial credits).

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Playing with fire huh?

It sounds as if they can't get the images of all the burning WIldberries, Ozon, and oil refineries in Russia out of their hears.

Don't listen to Russia's threats.

That's their game.

They must be defeated.

Support Ukraine.

37 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Support Ukraine.

To the last Ukrainian.