UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has arrived in Kyiv on Ukraine’s Independence Day, marking his first overseas visit since becoming prime minister. His visit is focused on strengthening Britain’s support for Ukraine as the war with Russia continues. One of the main announcements is expected to be an agreement allowing Ukraine to receive technical information and blueprints linked to the long-range Storm Shadow missile system. The information will help Ukraine develop and produce its own versions of long-range missiles. The Storm Shadow is a British-French cruise missile designed to strike important targets from a long distance. Its French version is known as SCALP. The missile is about 5.1 metres long and weighs around 1,300 kilograms. It can hit targets roughly 240 kilometres away, although Ukraine already has some drones that can travel much farther. Britain and France previously supplied Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles to Ukraine. The latest decision is different because Ukraine would receive technical information that could help it build more of these weapons itself. For Ukraine, this could become an important part of its long-term defence strategy. Instead of depending completely on foreign supplies, Ukraine wants to increase its own weapons production. Kyiv has already expanded production of drones and other weapons capable of reaching targets deep inside Russia. The announcement comes at a sensitive time. Ukraine has recently increased long-range attacks against targets inside Russia. Ukrainian drones have reportedly targeted oil refineries, warehouses and other infrastructure. Russia has warned that continued attacks and Western military support could lead to consequences. At the same time, Russia continues to attack Ukraine with missiles and drones. Overnight strikes were reported on both sides. Russia’s defence ministry said its forces attacked port infrastructure and vessels in Ukraine’s Odesa region. Ukraine has not independently confirmed the Russian claims. Russia also reported deaths in the south-western part of the country after Ukrainian drone attacks. Russian authorities said falling drone debris killed two people, while several facilities were reportedly damaged or set on fire. Burnham is also expected to chair a meeting of the “coalition of the willing”, a group of more than 35 countries supporting Ukraine. He is due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior officials. The UK government says its support for Ukraine will continue. British Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the war is not only a threat to Ukraine but also creates wider security concerns for Britain and Europe. European countries are also increasing their support. The European Commission announced another €6.1 billion in financial assistance for Ukraine. The money will help Ukraine obtain defence equipment, including missiles, ammunition and radar systems. However, Ukraine continues to face serious challenges. One of its biggest problems is air defence. Ukrainian officials and Western experts have warned that the country needs more Patriot interceptor missiles to defend against Russian ballistic missiles and other attacks. Former MI6 chief Richard Moore said Ukraine has made significant progress in striking targets deep inside Russia but warned that Kyiv is running short of some air-defence missiles. He said Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure remain a major threat. Ukraine’s former deputy defence minister Volodymyr Havrylov also said that Ukrainian long-range missiles could eventually allow Kyiv to strike important military targets farther inside Russia. Such attacks, however, could also increase tensions and lead to a stronger Russian response. The latest British decision therefore has two sides. It could strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and produce its own weapons, but it could also increase concerns about the war spreading or becoming more intense. For now, Britain and its European allies are signaling that they intend to continue supporting Ukraine while Russia continues its military campaign. Burnham’s visit and the missile blueprint agreement show that Western countries are increasingly willing to help Ukraine develop its own military capabilities rather than relying only on weapons supplied from abroad.