KYIV, August 24, 2026 — Britain and France have announced additional military support for Ukraine as the country observed the 35th anniversary of its independence from the former Soviet Union.
Britain said it would provide Ukraine with access to classified technology required to manufacture Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles domestically. France, which jointly developed the missile with Britain, has approved the relevant technology licence.
Participating governments also committed to accelerating deliveries of air-defence missiles. The announcements followed a meeting in Kyiv involving European leaders and members of the coalition supporting Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine continues to seek peace but would not accept an agreement requiring it to surrender more territory to Russia.
Why it matters: Producing long-range missiles inside Ukraine could make its supply less dependent on individual foreign deliveries. However, their possible use against targets deep inside Russia may increase the danger of retaliation and broader escalation.
