UK authorities have warned defense executives supplying Ukraine about potential Russian espionage threats.
UK-based defense executives whose companies supply weapons and drones to Ukraine have been warned that they and their employees could face Russian espionage threats, The Mail on Sunday reported.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office delivered the warning during a meeting between senior government officials and defense industry executives.
Several UK-based manufacturers supply Ukraine with military equipment, including unmanned systems and missiles.
Ukrainian drone manufacturer Ukrspecsystems produces its systems near a Royal Air Force base in eastern England.
BAE Systems subsidiary Callen-Lenz has supplied aircraft reportedly used in Kyiv’s strikes against oil facilities inside Russia.
MBDA, meanwhile, manufactures the Storm Shadow cruise missiles used by Ukrainian forces.
The news comes after authorities reportedly foiled Russian operations targeting executives at German arms manufacturers.
Among the alleged targets was Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, whose company had secured a 4.2-billion-pound ($5.6 billion) contract to supply Ukraine with artillery ammunition.
London’s Support for Kyiv
The security warning comes as London is expanding both its military assistance to Kyiv and its role in preparations for a possible allied deployment.
This month, the UK- and France-led Coalition of the Willing, which brings together 35 countries supporting Ukraine, announced plans to hold its first joint military exercise in Poland in October and November.
The drill will test the movement and deployment of troops and equipment for the proposed Multinational Force Ukraine, an allied force that would be deployed to Ukraine only after a credible cessation of hostilities with Russia.
Around 1,500 British and French personnel are expected to participate.
Earlier this year, the UK supplied more than 120,000 drones to Ukraine, its largest unmanned-aircraft assistance package.
Deliveries include systems for long-range strikes, intelligence and reconnaissance, logistics and maritime operations.
The measure also includes funding to produce drones for Ukraine in partnership with British companies, including Tekever, Windracers and Malloy Aeronautics.
