Andy Burnham has faced down threats from the Kremlin over Britain’s increasing support for Ukraine by telling Vladimir Putin he “started the fire”.

An extraordinary war of words broke out after Moscow warned that the UK sharing its long-range missile blueprints with Kyiv would “add fuel to the fire” of the conflict.

The Prime Minister, who was in Kyiv on Monday to mark the anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union, insisted there would be no backing down from Britain’s assistance to Kyiv.

While Burnham’s predecessor Sir Keir Starmer was a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, the new Prime Minister’s comments will be seen as more outspoken.

They also come at a time when Britain is braced for retaliation from Moscow for its ramping up of support for Kyiv, including UK-made drones being used to strike inside Russia and for the sharing of blueprints for the long-range Scalp missiles.

So, is the UK escalating its stance towards Russia?

Tougher rhetoric from Burnham

When he took over from Starmer, the Prime Minister made clear that he would continue supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia, just as his four predecessors had done.

But during Starmer’s final months in office and over Burnham’s first few weeks, the perceived threat from Moscow has increased.

Starmer warned Russia could strike a Nato country before 2030, and US intelligence released earlier this month suggested it could come even sooner, during the next few months.

This enhanced threat has led to a ramping up of support from the UK and its European Nato allies towards Kyiv.

And with it has come tougher rhetoric. Last week, the Kremlin warned there would be “consequences” for UK-made drones being used by Ukraine against Russia. On Monday, its spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “Britain is involved in this war on the side of the Kyiv regime.

“Britain methodically and regularly adds fuel to the fire and methodically and regularly hatches schemes to prevent even the slightest progress in the peaceful settlement process.”

In response, Burnham said: “Who started the fire? That’s the question, isn’t it?”

These words mark an escalation in rhetoric.

But they have also sparked fears that the UK may not be ready for any retaliatory response from Moscow.

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: “We utterly condemn Russia’s threats against the UK and stand with the Government in their continued steadfast support for Ukraine.

“While we should be wary of responding to Russian propaganda, the best way to deter aggression is to be prepared for it. That’s why the new PM must commit to spending 3% of GDP on Defence by the end of this Parliament.”

Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister, said while it made sense for Ukraine to become self-sufficient in missiles, with the Russian ambassador recalled – and Putin already seeking revenge (after UK-built drones struck deep in Russia) – “we should brace ourselves for grey zone retaliation. And for this we are woefully unprepared.”

Increased military assistance for Ukraine

Britain has been contributing to Kyiv’s war effort since the start of Russia’s invasion in 2022, but this has steadily ramped up, including UK Storm Shadows being sent to Ukraine in 2023.

But the last two interventions reach a new scale of significance because of the direct use of this military equipment inside Russia.

Earlier this month it emerged that UK-made drones were being used to strike Russian targets. This week it was announced that Britain is sharing blueprints to its components used in Scalp missiles, the French version of Storm Shadows, with Kyiv.

Downing Street would not say how long the Scalp blueprints plan had been in gestation, and whether it was a legacy policy from Starmer or whether Burnham initiated it.

But a No 10 spokeswoman made clear the UK would continue to help arm Ukraine. She said Britain would “continue to develop low-cost, advanced, long-range strike weapons for Ukraine through Project BrakeStop”.

New battlefield data partnership

The latest support, announced on Monday evening, comes in the form of a new partnership between London and Kyiv on AI.

Under the deal, the UK will have access to Ukraine’s Avengers AI Labs database, to develop tools for use on the battlefield.

The platform provides real-world data and insights to train AI models, collected by thousands of daylight cameras and infrared sensors across the battlefield in Ukraine. Those sensors and cameras capture millions of objects, such as tanks, artillery, air defence systems, infantry and aerial targets, including Shahed drones and reconnaissance UAVs, feeding back data to the Avengers Lab to train new AI models.

Britain described the platform as a “goldmine of battlefield data”. In return, the UK will offer scientists and tech companies to develop new battlefield tools.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Ukraine is pushing the frontier of defence innovation as they bravely resist Putin’s illegal invasion.

“By combining the UK’s world-leading scientists, engineers and tech companies with Ukraine’s unique battlefield experience and data, we will strengthen both of our nations’ defence and security.”

Sorties by RAF planes

On Monday, an RAF “Rivet Joint” surveillance aircraft was spotted by military observers over Lithuania and northern Poland, near to the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.

While sorties such as these are not unusual, the timing of the mission – reported by the X account OSINT Defender – could suggest the UK is gearing up for potential retaliation from Moscow for its support for Ukraine.

Military experts predict that the retaliation could come in the form of heightened “grey zone” activity, such as cyber attacks and tracking of UK undersea cables by Russia’s “shadow fleet” – although this activity is already at a high and regular intensity.

There could also be some form of more overt action, such as expelling diplomats or journalists, to send a message from Moscow to London, below the threshold of war or anything that breaks the Nato treaty.

The Ministry of Defence was contacted for comment about the RAF aircraft.

When asked by ITV News whether he was concerned about Russian retaliation and threats, Burnham said: “I’m doing what I think is the right thing to do, where we see an illegal invasion on the borders of Europe if we don’t take a firm stand, who would be next? It’s right to do this.

“It’s in Britain’s interest to take a firm stand and stand behind Ukraine.”