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UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham / AP-Yonhap

Amid Russian warnings that the U.K. would "pay a price" for supplying drones to Ukraine, U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain would give Ukraine "100%" support against Russia and stand with it "at the moment it needs it most," Reuters reported on the 18th (local time).

Russia has accused Britain of becoming deeply involved in the war, following a report by The Times on the 15th that British-made drones were used for the first time in a long-range strike on Russian territory.

The Russian Embassy said in a statement the day before that "such actions by London will certainly carry accountability and consequences."

It added that "the deeper the U.K. becomes involved in the war and the more it increases its support for Kyiv, the greater the price it will pay."

Burnham said Britain's support reflects its long-standing commitment to give Ukraine 100% backing against the illegal war led by Russian President Vladimir Putin, translated into action.

He added, "We are not a friend who's only there in the good times," stressing, "We will stand with Ukraine at the moment it needs it most, and that will not change."

The U.K. Ministry of Defence did not confirm whether British-made drones were actually used in the strike on Russia.

Reuters noted that tensions between Russia and the West over Western military support have persisted since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022.

                                                                                                           Lee Jeong-eun