Russia warns UK over supplying drones to Ukraine

What the report says

Russia has warned the UK over the use of British-made drones in strikes on targets inside Russia, accusing London of helping to escalate the war in Ukraine. In a statement reported by BBC World News, the Russian Embassy in London said the UK was acting as an accomplice to attacks it described as criminal and warned that deeper involvement would bring consequences.

The BBC reported that a military source confirmed UK drones had been used in the attacks. According to the article, the drones were built by two British companies and have been used against military and industrial sites, including refineries and warehouses linked to Wildberries, a major Russian online retailer. The report said Russia has claimed significant economic damage from the strikes, while Ukraine has said some of the retailer’s logistics centres have been disrupted.

The UK Ministry of Defence responded that Britain stands “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine and remains committed to providing equipment Kyiv needs to defend itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion. The MoD also said Russia should have no doubt about the UK government’s resolve. The exchange comes amid intensified cross-border attacks, with recent drone barrages and retaliatory strikes causing deaths and injuries in both countries.

The episode highlights the wider debate over foreign support for Ukraine and the risks of the conflict expanding beyond Ukraine’s borders. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and continues to occupy part of Ukrainian territory.