The former Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defence has described how it will be a "game changer" when the first Ukrainian ballistic missiles reach targets close to Moscow, and Russian society sees a shift in the war.

Retired Major General Volodymyr Havrylov tells the BBC's Today programme that the UK handing over the intelligence for missile systems to Ukraine will allow it to increase its deep-strike capabilities into Russia.

He says developing Ukraine's ballistic and cruise missile capabilities will help it strike important targets near Moscow and Saint Petersburg, where Russia's defence industry is most concentrated.

He adds that Ukraine has been able to scale up its production of long and middle-range drones and that Russians have started to react differently to strikes.

Today Andy Burnham will announce that the British government has agreed to allow European defence company MBDA to declassify information on UK components for the long-range Scalp missile – the French equivalent of the UK's Storm Shadow.

The long-range Scalp missile weighs 1,300kg and is 16.7ft (5.10m) long. It is capable of hitting targets around 150 miles (241 KM) into Russia - not as far as Ukraine's deep strike drone capability, but it is a significant step in showing the willingness of international partners to share weapons technology.

The maker describes the missiles as designed to hit pre-planned, stationary targets. It can be used day and night in all weather conditions and has advanced navigation systems.

Image source, Reuters

The European Commission has announced a further €6.1bn (£5.2bn) in financial aid for Ukraine to buy new defence systems, including missiles, ammunition and radars.

The EU said this latest aid package came on top of €16bn (£13.6bn) of previously approved funding, of which €8.35bn (£7.1bn) had already been spent.

"As Russia intensifies its attacks, we are stepping up to help Ukraine protect its people and defend its skies," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says.

"Europe stands with Ukraine and we will deliver what it needs, when it needs it."

Defence minister Luke Pollard says the fact that Andy Burnham's first international trip as prime minister is to Ukraine shows shows "the level of support" the UK has for the country.

Pollard tells BBC Breakfast the announcement of the transfer of military blueprints is so Ukraine can defend itself.

The minister says there is also a need for more air defence systems, adding that due to the Middle East conflict there is "huge demand for Patriot systems".

"Which is why the UK is supporting Ukraine with other defence assets, not just [taking] down the cruise missiles that Russia fires at Ukraine, but also counter-drone measures."

Pollard is also asked about Russia threatening the UK over its support for Ukraine. He says the war poses a threat to UK security as well as Ukraine.

"If anyone thinks if Russia were to win in Ukraine, [that] they would stop in Ukraine, they are very wrong," he says.

Image source, Stefan Rousseau

The former head of MI6 says Ukraine is doing an "extraordinary job of hitting Russia in the deep" and striking the infrastructure that keeps the Russian military effort going in Ukraine.

Richard Moore tells the Today programme on Radio 4 that the Russian economy is finding it hard to cope with Ukraine's ability to strike deep into its territory.

He adds that the Ukrainians are holding well on the front line while Russia is suffering heavy losses.

But he says Ukraine is clearly under pressure from Russian missile strikes on its civilian energy infrastructure.

Moore says Britain handing over the blueprints for long-range missiles is a "very important signal" to give to Ukraine, and adds that Kyiv has been "extraordinary" in building up its own defence industry.

But he also warns that Ukraine is running short on Patriot interceptor missiles to intercept Russian strikes.

More says more strikes are getting through compared to a few months ago.

We're seeing footage of PM Andy Burnham shaking hands with Ukraine's foreign minister Andrii Sybiha‎, and some other officials.

If any other live images come in, we'll bring you them right away.

For now, here's what we can see:

Image source, UK Pool

Image source, UK Pool

Image source, UK Pool

Away from this morning's news, one of Volodymyr Zelensky's former officials gave an interview to the BBC over the weekend.

Sacked defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov said over the weekend that President Zelensky should be asked questions about corruption in his government.

Fedorov was fired last month after reportedly falling out with the head of Ukraine's armed forces, and has said a money laundering investigation announced last week meant Zelensky should be asked about his awareness of potential corruption in his inner circle.

But he said he had not himself seen the president engage in any corrupt activity.

Federov also went on to repeat his call that the country should have elections, adding it was his "moral right" to start the conversation about it. If elections were never held, he said, "then we are no longer a democracy".

Zelensky meanwhile said yesterday he believed wartime elections would currently be too dangerous for Ukraine.

"Elections right now are a tsunami for the country that will split Ukraine," he added.

Two people have been killed in south-west Russia as Kyiv and Moscow continued to trade strikes overnight.

The Russian retail group, Ozon, says several of its warehouses in the south-west of the country and the North Caucasus were targeted by Ukrainian drones.

The company says fires broke out at its hubs in Dagestan and in Krasnodar.

The Russian Tass news agency is reporting two people were killed after drone debris fell on a children's centre in Krasnodar, citing a regional governor.

Meanwhile, Russia's defence ministry says its forces had attacked port infrastructure and vessels in the Odesa region, which it says were engaged in delivering supplies to Ukraine's military.

There's been no confirmation from Kyiv.

Dan Johnson
Ukraine correspondent, in Kyiv

Image source, EPA

Andy Burnham is in Ukraine’s capital today on his first overseas trip as UK prime minister.

The visit marks 35 years of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union, and he will announce an agreement for Ukraine to start producing its own models of the British storm shadow cruise missile.

The prime minister will also chair his first meeting of the “coalition of the willing”, the partnership of more than 35 nations backing Ukraine.

Burnham will also be meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, almost a month on from their first meeting in Portsmouth.

He will say he wants the Ukrainian people to hear directly from him that British support will not waiver, as long as it takes and that Russia’s threats against the UK only strengthen that resolve.

The long-range missile Burnham is giving Ukraine the blueprints for is capable of hitting targets around 150 miles (241km) into Russia - not as far as Ukraine’s deep strike drone capability but it’s a significant step in showing the willingness of international partners to share weapons technology.

And Ukraine hopes for the same with patriot interceptor missiles, which it desperately needs more of to defend against Russian ballistic attacks.