Russia warns UK after British-made drones used in strikes inside Russia
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Russia accuses the United Kingdom of deliberately escalating the Ukraine conflict after confirming British-made drones were used in strikes on targets inside Russia. The Russian Embassy in London says Britain is acting as an accomplice and co-perpetrator of "bloody crimes and terrorist attacks" and will face consequences. The UK Ministry of Defence says Britain stands "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine and will continue supplying equipment.
Key Facts
- On Saturday night, Ukraine fired about 822 drones toward Russia, with 600 aimed at Moscow, and seven deaths were reported across Russia.
- A military source confirmed to the BBC that UK drones were used in attacks that caused more than £35bn in economic damage inside Russia.
- Ukraine says seven out of 10 of the largest Wildberries logistics centres have been "disabled".
- On Saturday night, Russian attacks on Ukraine killed at least seven people and injured more than 39.
- Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said drones using UK components and configurations attacked a fuel depot in the Kamensky District of the Rostov Region.
Russia's Warning to London
The Russian Embassy to the UK said London had "deliberately opted for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis" and was acting as "an accomplice and co-perpetrator of the bloody crimes and terrorist attacks". The embassy said London's actions would inevitably carry consequences and warned that the deeper its involvement in the conflict, the higher the price it would pay. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said drones using UK components and configurations were used to attack Russian territory, including a fuel depot in the Kamensky District of the Rostov Region. Moscow's warning followed a wave of Ukrainian strikes, including an attack on Monday that killed nine people and injured 23, including a child.
UK Ministry of Defence Response
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told BBC News that Britain stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine. The spokesperson said Russia should be in no doubt about the UK's resolve to stand against Russian aggression in Ukraine and against the UK and its allies. The UK said it remained committed to providing Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself against Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion. In April, the Ministry of Defence announced it would supply Ukraine tens of thousands of drones, including long-range strike devices, in its biggest ever package.
Drone Strikes and Economic Damage
Built by two separate British companies, the drones have been used inside Russia in widespread and successful targeting of military and industrial targets, including refineries and Wildberries warehouses. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Wildberries, known as Russia's version of Amazon, and says seven out of 10 of the largest logistics centres have been "disabled". A military source confirmed to the BBC that UK drones had been used in the attacks, which are said to have caused more than £35bn in economic damage. On Saturday night, Ukraine fired some 822 drones towards Russia, with 600 aiming for Moscow, according to its regional governor, who said the capital suffered "one of the most massive drone attacks in recent memory". On the same night, Russian attacks on Ukraine killed at least seven people and injured more than 39.
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Russia warns UK after British-made drones used in strikes inside Russia
