Liam Payne’s funeral and the use of British-made weapons being used by Ukraine to strike Russia lead Thursday’s newspapers.

Several tabloids lead with reports on the funeral of former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne, who died last month after he fell from his balcony in Argentina. Much of the front page coverage features images from outside the Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. 

There is a heightened fear for the tabloids as Ukraine has fired British-made missiles into Russia for the first time. The broadsheets take a more measured tone on their front pages, as they report the British missiles struck deep inside of Russia. 

‘Farewell Liam’ – tributes paid as One Direction star laid to rest

‘Family, friends and celebrity pals say goodbye,’ leads the Mirror.

Daily Mirror says “Farewell Liam” alongside an image of his coffin and inset images of his former bandmates and his former partner. The paper says the reunion of the band members – Zayn, Louis, Niall and Harry was “under circumstances none of them would ever have imagined.”

‘Cheryl bravely battles grief to lead mourners,’ says The Sun.

The Sun also says “farewell” and features images of the former bandmates and the mother of his son  Cheryl Tweedy. The paper says she bravely battled her grief to lead mourners. 

‘Stars united at final farewell,’ says the Express.

The Daily Express notes the celebrity mourners attending the funeral saying “Stars united at final farewell.” He was laid to rest yesterday in a private funeral in the Home Counties, where his family and friends attended, followed by a wake.

‘British weapons fired at Russia’

‘Starmer personally approved strike using British weapons,’ claims the Mail.

Daily Mail says Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally approved the missile strike which saw up to 12 British storm shadows fired into Russia.

‘Marks a major escalation in war,’ says the Express.

The Daily Express says footage shows locals picking up fragments of the 12 British missiles in Russia, noting the permitting of British weapons is a “major escalation” in the war. 

‘Missile strike comes as government set to slash defence spending,’ reports the Telegraph.

The Daily Telegraph notes that the missile strike has come amid cuts in defence spending. The paper says the military will see more than £500 million worth of cuts. Ben Wallace, ex-defence secretary, warns that the cuts would send a message to adversaries that the UK’s defences are weakening. 

‘UK defies Putin’s warnings,’ says the i.

The i newspaper frames the story as the “UK defies Putin” – noting the Russian president had a day earlier updated his nuclear war protocol. 

‘Use of Western weapons in response to deployment of North Korean soldiers on Ukriane-Russia border,’ highlights The Guardian.

The Guardian reports that the use of British weapons came in response to the deployment of 10,000 North Korean soldiers on Russia’s border with Ukraine. US and UK officials say it’s a major escalation in the war. 

‘Britain had been ready to supply its weapons sooner but had to wait for Biden,’ The Times reports.

The Times notes that Britain had been ready to supply British weapons to Ukraine a lot sooner but had to wait for the approval of US President Joe Biden. 

‘Putin trying to lure Afghan soldiers that Britain betrayed,’ says The Independent.

The Independent reports the prime minister said Kyiv must have what it needs, as Britain follows the US in supplying Western weapons. The paper also reports that the Afghan soldiers that Britain recruited to help them fight the Taliban – and then abandoned – are now being lured by Putin to help fight his war.