Zelensky warns of new Russian massive attack during meeting with UK PM, as Britain announces £100M air defense package
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian intelligence has information that Russia is preparing a new massive attack against Ukraine. He made the statement during a meeting with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, during which the UK announced a £100 million (€116 million) air defense package including Patriot missiles ahead of winter.
Key points
- Zelensky said Ukrainian intelligence has information Russia is preparing a new massive attack on Ukraine.
- He made the statement during a meeting with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on September 22 in New York.
- The UK is allocating £100 million (€116 million) for an air defense package including Patriot missiles, to be delivered before winter.
- The British weapons will be supplied through the PURL mechanism.
- Zelensky said Kyiv is working with partners to strengthen air defense ahead of winter.
- Zelensky said sanctions on Russia cannot be lifted while Ukrainians face daily missile and drone strikes.
- Zelensky said US President Donald Trump is 'positively disposed' toward granting Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot missiles.
Why it matters
Zelensky's public warning, based on intelligence, raised the alert level about a possible new Russian massive attack and tied it directly to allied coordination on air defense. The UK announcement of a £100 million package including Patriot missiles ahead of winter underscores how Ukraine's partners are responding to that threat.
What happened
On September 22 in New York, President Volodymyr Zelensky met with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. During the meeting, Zelensky said Ukrainian intelligence has information that Russia is preparing a new massive attack against Ukraine. He said the two discussed security, protection of Ukrainians, preparations for winter, and available diplomatic opportunities. Zelensky noted that Kyiv is working with partners to strengthen air defense ahead of winter and said Ukraine is in constant communication with partners about finding additional air defense capabilities.
Alongside the meeting, the United Kingdom announced it is allocating £100 million (€116 million) for an air defense package for Ukraine ahead of winter, including Patriot missiles. The British weapons will be supplied through the PURL mechanism. Zelensky thanked the UK for its continued support of Ukraine's energy sector and noted a new British contribution ahead of winter.
Zelensky also said that as long as Ukrainians live under the threat of missile and drone strikes every day, there can be no talk of lifting sanctions, and that his position on maintaining and strengthening sanctions against Russia is shared with Burnham. Separately, Zelensky said US President Donald Trump is 'positively disposed' toward granting Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot missiles.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
All three Ukrainian-language sources — Ukrainska Pravda, NV, and Suspilne Novyny — lead with Zelensky's warning about a new Russian massive attack as the central element of the story. Coverage emphasizes the intelligence basis for the warning and frames the meeting with the British leader as evidence of allied engagement. The UK air defense package is presented alongside the warning, framing allied military support as the direct response to the threatened attack.
Where reporting differs
Ukrainian sources disagree on the identity of the British prime minister who met Zelensky. Most facts identify him as Andy Burnham, but one fact also includes the alternative name Keir Starmer, raising the question of whether the sitting UK prime minister or the Mayor of Greater Manchester was the participant in the meeting.
Background
Zelensky has linked Ukraine's daily exposure to missile and drone strikes to the justification for maintaining and strengthening sanctions against Russia. He has also referenced that US President Donald Trump is reportedly 'positively disposed' toward granting Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot missiles.