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Andy Burnham has praised Ukraine for “keeping the flame of European freedom alive”, comparing it to Britain’s pivotal role in World War II.
“Despite Russia’s outrageous threats to my country we will continue our support for Ukraine,” the PM said in his first international speech in front of St Sofia cathedral in Kyiv to mark the 35th anniversary of the nation’s independence.
He added: “This is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia, the moment to squeeze their ability to fund this illegal war.”
Burnham is set to give Ukraine blueprints for the British Storm Shadow long-range missile, a move expected to give the war-ravaged nation an advantage in striking military targets deep inside Russian territory.
The leader arrived in Kyiv this morning, just hours after at least three people were killed in a Russian attack on the outskirts of Kharkiv.
It is his first overseas visit for the leader, more than a month after entering Downing Street, and it comes as Kyiv and Moscow continued to exchange devastating attacks overnight.
“Ukraine’s security is our security,” Burnham said in a statement, adding that Britain would stand by Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.
‘Who started the fire?,’ Burnham responds to Kremlin’s threat
Britain’s prime minister Andy Burnham (C) gestures as he meets patients wounded in the war at the Main Military Hospital (Getty)
Andy Burnham has responded to Russia’s accusation that Britain has “added fuel to the fire” with its Storm Shadow agreement with Ukraine.
Asked about the Kremlin’s comments, the PM said: “Who started the fire? That’s the question, isn’t it? Ukraine did not do that.
“Russia began this illegal invasion, and that is absolutely clear, and they could stop it at any given time.
“People would expect me to be out here showing our unflinching support. And that’s what I’m doing.”
Gergana.Krasteva24 August 2026 15:00
Sweden’s Gripen fighter jets to be deployed to Ukraine
Sweden is preparing to transfer Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, foreign minister Andrii Sybiha announced today.
After a meeting with his Swedish counterpart Maria Stenergard, he announced the deal on X: “Sweden’s exceptional Gripen jets are preparing to protect Ukrainian skies,
“We took stock of the implementation schedule for our leaders’ agreements, as well as our ongoing work on the bilateral Drone Deal.”
Gergana.Krasteva24 August 2026 14:30
King Charles praises Ukraine for ‘unwavering determination’ during war
King Charles and Queen Camilla have congratulated Ukraine on Independence Day, praising the nation for its “unwavering determination” in the war.
In a statement posted by the British Embassy in Kyiv, His Majesty said: “Both my wife and I send our sincere and special wishes to you and to all Ukrainians for the possibility of peace, security and prosperity in the year ahead.”
Charles added that he continues to draw inspiration from the strong friendship between the two countries.
Gergana.Krasteva24 August 2026 14:00
Two children among 20 injured in Russian strike on apartment block
At least 20 people have been wounded in a Russian attack on an apartment building in the centre of Chernihiv earlier today.
Two children aged 12 and 17 are among the wounded, according to the city military administration.
A fire broke out at the site of the strike and firefighters are tackling the raging flames.
Footage from the scene show the plumes of smoke rising from the wreckage.
“A cynical strike by Russian terrorists on a residential building in Chernihiv,” said Viacheslav Chaus, head of Chernihiv Oblast military administration.
“In the middle of the day – on Independence Day.”
A firefighter works at the site of an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Chernihiv (Emergency Service of Ukraine)
Damaged cars at the site of an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Chernihiv (Emergency Service of Ukraine)
A firefighter works at the site of an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Chernihiv (Emergency Service of Ukraine)
Gergana.Krasteva24 August 2026 13:30
10 Ukrainian soldiers captured from Donets returned in latest exchange
Ten Ukrainian soldiers who were considered “missing in action” have been returned to Ukraine through Belarus on Independence Day.
Sharing photos of the men draped in Ukrainian flags, Volodymyr Zelensky said: “They defended the country in the Donetsk sector.
“All of them had been considered missing in action. And it is very important that we managed to bring them back.”
Their return is part of the latest exchange of captured fighters between the warring sides.
Gergana.Krasteva24 August 2026 13:00
Zelensky addresses desperate need for more missiles ahead of winter
Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Ukraine’s leading arms manufacturer, Fire Point, to accelerate production of its Flamingo cruise missile to take the fight to Russia this winter.
While praising the achievements of the defence industry during the war – including strikes with naval drones – the president said there was more work to do to counter the Kremlin’s ballistic terror.
Fire Point makes 100 long-range missiles and thousands of drones a month – and is crucial to the military’s deep-strike capability.
Zelensky insisted that production should be ramped up and that “Flamingos should not be a rare species but birds arriving en masse.”
“They must ‘winter’ in Russia,” the Ukrainian leader said.
He added: “Our mid-range strikes are cutting their logistics. Our long-range capabilities are cutting their profits.
“Thousands of our deep strikes have already been seen in Moscow, Tuapse, Tula, Ryazan, Olenya, Omsk, and dozens more places where our Ukrainian justice has already reached. Russia must see more of this justice.”
Gergana.Krasteva24 August 2026 12:35
In pictures: Burnham honoured at Independence Day ceremony
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, and Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham attend a commemorative ceremony marking Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 (AP)
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, hands over the Ukraine state award to European Council President Antonio Costa during a commemorative ceremony in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, marking Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day (AP)
From L) Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal (TopL), Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham (4thL), Finland’s President Alexander Stubb (C), Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda (4thR), Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov (4thR Rear) and Estonia’s President Alar Karis (R) attend the commemorative ceremony (AFP/Getty)
Ukrainian Naval Infantry attend a commemorative ceremony marking Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day outside St. Sofia cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine (PA)
Gergana.Krasteva24 August 2026 12:10
Burnham ‘doing the right thing’ giving Storm Shadow blueprints, Reform says
Reform deputy leader Richard Tice has said that Andy Burnham “is doing the right thing on his first foreign trip” to Ukraine.
Reform have previously been accused of being too supportive of Russia, but Tice backed the PM’s decision to give the blueprints for Britain’s Storm Shadow missiles.
He added that Ukraine was doing “an excellent job in pushing back Russia.”
Gergana.Krasteva24 August 2026 11:50
Burnham compares Ukraine’s resistance to Britain’s fight with Nazi Germany
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, greets Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham during a ceremony to mark Independence Day in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026 (AP)
Andy Burnham has compared Ukraine’s ongoing resistance against Russia to Britain’s fight in World War II during a speech in front of St Sophia cathedral in Kyiv.
Vowing to help the country bolster its air defences ahead of the winter, the PM said: “My nation kept the flame of European freedom alive in the 20th century, you hold that flame in the 21st.”
In his first major speech on the international stage, he praised the “sheer strength” of the Ukrainian people as “truly awesome”, and said that “this is the moment to keep up the pressure on Russia, the moment to squeeze their ability to fund this illegal war”.
“Ukraine has been Europe’s protector, not a drain on our security but the front line in keeping Europe safe,” he added.
Reacting to the Kremlin’s “outrageous” threats against the UK, how promised to continue supporting Ukraine in the war.
Gergana.Krasteva24 August 2026 11:24
Zelensky honours memory of fallen Ukrainian heroes in Kyiv
Gergana.Krasteva24 August 2026 10:35