Russia has warned the United Kingdom of unspecified consequences after confirmation that British-made drones were used in recent Ukrainian attacks on military and industrial targets inside Russia.
The Russian embassy in London said Britain was deliberately escalating the conflict and claimed that the greater its involvement, the higher the price it would pay. The embassy did not specify what measures Moscow was considering.
A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said Britain stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine and was committed to supplying the equipment Kyiv needed to defend itself against what it described as President Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion. The spokesperson said Russia should have no doubt about the government’s resolve to oppose Russian aggression against Ukraine, the UK and its allies.
Drone strikes intensify
Ukraine has increased drone attacks on targets deeper inside Russia, including oil refineries and logistics facilities linked to the online retailer Wildberries. A military source confirmed that UK-made drones had been used in recent operations, which were said to have caused more than £35 billion in economic damage.
Russian officials said about 620 drones were directed towards the Moscow region in overnight attacks. Air defences reportedly destroyed more than 180 of them, while several people were wounded. Wildberries said one of its logistics complexes sustained minor damage.
Russia said that 822 Ukrainian drones were launched towards the country on Saturday night, including about 600 aimed at Moscow. The regional governor described it as one of the largest drone assaults on the capital in recent memory. Seven deaths were reported across Russia that night, according to the source.
Continued attacks on Ukraine
The Ukrainian drone operations came alongside renewed Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraine. Officials said 17 people were killed, including 10 villagers in Pechenihy in north-eastern Ukraine, where two missiles hit private homes, a cafe and a post office. Deaths were also reported in Sumy, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
Russia has previously criticised the UK over drone technology and Storm Shadow missiles supplied to Ukraine. In April, the Ministry of Defence announced its largest drone package for Ukraine, including tens of thousands of drones and long-range strike devices.
Russia controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, while Ukraine has also employed domestically developed drone and missile systems in recent weeks.
Source: BBC News
