Putin does not rule out Russian strikes on military sites in Britain

Vladimir Putin left open the possibility of Russian military strikes on British military installations, characterizing the prospect as a "military secret" during a press conference on September 2. He reiterated that any military targets in Ukraine are valid objectives, whether British or not, echoing a recurring Russian propaganda message.

The Russian leader also raised doubts about the actual presence of such facilities in Ukraine. When presented with the hypothetical scenario, Putin stated that if those facilities exist, they would undoubtedly become targets. He further emphasized that the potential for Russian strikes on Britain should remain a "military secret."

On August 24, British Prime Minister Andrew Burnham had authorized the delivery of technology to Ukraine for producing Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Kremlin advisor Andrei Fedorov later suggested that British drone manufacturing sites could face a "semi-military response" due to the transfer of missile blueprints to Ukraine. On August 27, Russia warned of attacks on British military targets in Ukraine and beyond its borders in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes employing British weapons.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that London would be held accountable for supplying Ukraine with long-range Storm Shadow missiles and associated production technology.