Putin tells Britain to reverse 'hostile line' on Ukraine or Russia could hit UK military targets

Putin tells Britain to reverse 'hostile line' on Ukraine or Russia could hit UK military targets By SOPHIA STANFORD, NEWS REPORTER.

Key points

• Published: 09: 59 BST, 27 August 2026 Updated: 10: 22 BST, 27 August 2026.
• 10, Sir Keir Starmer had cautioned Russia could launch an attack on a Nato country in the next four years, western intelligence assessments had indicated.
• Andy Burnham with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday where the new premier handed over missile blueprints.
• But the Russian president's hopes were dashed by the Prime Minister's moves to fortify the UK-Ukraine military alliance in recent weeks.
• A senior source informed the Daily Mail earlier this week: 'The question being asked is, "How long do we keep poking the bear before it bites?"

Notably, the warning comes after Prime Minister Andy Burnham was cautioned Britain faces Russian retaliation over its backing for Ukraine and to be prepared for a 'direct response' from Moscow.

Earlier this week, the new premier swapped missile blueprints and battlefield AI with Moscow's enemy in a visit to Kiev.

As such, UK security chiefs have been primed for a Kremlin attack on Britain – either towards Mr Burnham or by targeting defence sites.

Putin's warning comes a day after CIA director John Ratcliffe created a surprise trip to Moscow where he issued a warning to the Kremlin not to escalate the conflict in Ukraine, either by using a nuclear weapon or targeting Kyiv's Western allies.

In practice, the 'just don't do it' advice was based on US intelligence that Russia is primed to act immediately and dramatically after its campaign on the battlefield stalled again.

After the visit, the Kremlin hinted it was not looking for peace with the West, warning 'it is too early to say if the deep crisis in US-Russia relations can be overcome', before boasting 'Ukraine is definitely losing the war'.

Before departing No. 10, Sir Keir Starmer had cautioned Russia could launch an attack on a Nato country in the next four years, western intelligence assessments had indicated.

Putin has informed Britain to reverse its 'hostile line' on Ukraine or Russia could hit UK military targets.

Putin had earlier been advised the new incumbent in No10 would be 'softer than Starmer'.

Meanwhile, a senior source informed the Daily Mail earlier this week: 'The question being asked is, "How long do we keep poking the bear before it bites?"

'An attack on the UK's defence and security infrastructure is inevitable, based on our high-profile backing for Ukraine.

'Ourselves and the French are front and centre, and Burnham's visit to Kyiv and his forthright stance will have been noticed at the Kremlin.

'There had been some optimism in Moscow that he would be softer than Starmer on Ukraine.

'That was not the case. Russia will want to create a statement, through actions rather than words. That could be a drone attack, or an arson attack. There are Russian sleeper cells in this country that could do either.'

For context, the source continued: 'Russia is testing our security infrastructure on a daily basis. Something bigger is only a matter of time. Russia just needs to keep it low enough to avoid a military response by Nato.'

It was documented earlier this week that Britons will be called on by the Administration to stock up on tinned food and bottled water in case of emergencies like extreme weather, cyber attacks or hostile state action. This is a breaking story, more to follow.

Taken together, the developments around putin tells Britain to reverse ' hostile line' on Ukraine or Russia could point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.