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Andy Burnham continues his UK tour, where he's so far checked out some potatoes on a farm in Truro, despite there being a lot more important things going on

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Adam CaillerSenior reporter and MSN lead

11:11, 18 AUG 2026

Lovely potatoes

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been issued a chilling World War 3 warning. It comes after Russia's relentless aerial assault on Ukraine is thought to now be pushing regional security to the edge, risking catastrophic misjudgement along Europe's unstable borders.

Putin's endless assault has seen the UK's Senior Military Adviser, Colonel Joby Rimmer issue a statement via Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Speaking after a huge barrage of 41 missiles and 125 drones launched on Kyiv just two weeks ago, Colonel Rimmer stated: "Overnight, on 18-19 July, the Russian Federation launched 41 missiles and 125 drones against Ukraine."

And Kemi Badenoch's called for the Prime Minister to pledge to spend 3% of GDP on defence being backed by leading military figures, while he continues his UK tour, where he's so far checked out some potatoes on a farm in Truro. Burnham's potato inspection took place during a visit to F G Pryor & Son Ltd, Colwyn Farm near Truro.

The tour is part of his attempt to "listen" to the nation, while Parliament is in recess, and will see him visit pretty much every part of the country while meeting with selected locals.

Badenoch told the Express: "September is approaching and the markets, the military and the public need answers to serious questions. Chiefly, will the Government finally commit to spending 3% of our GDP on defence by 2030 as the Conservatives have done?

"In an increasingly dangerous world, we need a government prepared to put national security first, make responsible choices about public spending, and ensure our armed forces have the resources they need to keep our country safe.

And Lord Dannatt, the former head of the UK Army asked: "Andy Burnham may promise us the best social care system in the world, but what is the value of good care if we are not fundamentally secure?

But back to Ukraine, the aformentioned horrific attacks resulted in at least 20 civilian deaths across the country. Colonel Rimmer said: "Those interceptions did save lives, but we should be clear: Ukraine should not need to deploy air-defence systems to protect apartment blocks, supermarkets, hospitals and schools.", reports the Express.

"Russia's reckless use of drones and missiles has repeatedly resulted in civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure."

He stressed clear international legal obligations, continuing: "Parties must always distinguish between civilians and combatants, and between civilian objects and military objectives.

"Attacks may be directed against only military objectives. Indiscriminate attacks are prohibited, as are attacks expected to cause incidental civilian harm excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated."

Beyond Ukraine, Colonel Rimmer cautioned that Russia's campaign is directly threatening neighbouring nations. On May 29, during another Russian assault on Ukraine, a Russian drone entered Romanian airspace and struck a 10-storey apartment building in Galai.

Two civilians were wounded and around 70 residents required evacuation. Colonel Rimmer declared: "This is not a theoretical risk. A live weapons system crossed sovereign airspace and struck civilians in a NATO country."

Moldova has encountered similar perils. On July 13, a Shahed-type drone crossed into Moldovan territory and exploded near the village of Copanca during Russian strikes on southern Ukraine. No casualties were reported in that incident, but Colonel Rimmer observed it demonstrated "the consistent danger posed to neighbouring states."

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The tour is part of his attempt to "listen" to the nation, while Parliament is in recess, and will see him visit pretty much every part of the country while meeting with selected locals.

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