Russia has accused the UK of "deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis" after confirming that British‑made drones were used in Ukrainian strikes on targets inside Russia.
The Russian Embassy to London wrote that "London is acting as an accomplice and co‑perpetrator of bloody crimes and terrorist attacks," warning that deeper UK involvement would carry serious consequences and cost London dearly.
A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence replied that Britain stands "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine, committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against "Putin's illegal invasion".
The drones, built by two separate British companies, have been employed inside Russia to target military and industrial sites, including refineries and warehouses of the online retailer Wildberries. Ukraine claims seven of the largest Wildberries logistics centres have been disabled.
A military source confirmed that UK drones were used in attacks that reportedly caused more than £35bn in economic damage.
Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022 and the country currently controls roughly a fifth of Ukrainian territory. The foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova cited UK‑made drones attacking a fuel depot in the Kamensky District of Rostov Region as an example of Russia’s counter‑strikes.
Moscow’s warning comes amid a surge of Ukrainian strikes on Russia, most recently an attack that killed nine people and injured 23, including a child. Ukrainian forces launched over 800 drones on a single night, with 600 targeting Moscow, which the Ukrainian governor described as one of the most massive attacks on the Russian capital. Russian retaliation on the same night killed at least seven people and injured more than 39 in Ukraine.
In April, the UK Minister of Defence announced a massive package of tens of thousands of drones, including long‑range strike devices, to support Ukraine for the first time in its history.
