In brief
Russia's embassy in the UK has warned that British-made drones used in attacks on Russian infrastructure make the UK an accomplice to war crimes. The UK says it stands with Ukraine and vows to supply defence equipment. Moscow alleges the drones caused £35bn in damage and lists attacks on Wildberries. Russian foreign ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova cited fuel depot strikes and warns of consequences for increased UK involvement. The dispute follows a wave of drone strikes on Russia and Kyiv and leads to heightened tensions.
Russia has accused the UK of deliberately escalating the Ukraine crisis after it discovered British-made drones in strikes on Russian targets. The Russian embassy in London also branded the UK a co‑perpetrator of violent attacks.
In a statement the embassy warned that Britain’s deeper involvement would cost it high consequences, stating that the "higher the price it will pay".
Responding through a Ministry of Defence spokesperson, Britain said it stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine and that it remained committed to supplying Ukraine with the equipment needed to defend against Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion.
The drones, built by two British companies, have reportedly targeted military and industrial sites in Russia, including refineries and warehouses of Wildberries – Russia’s Amazon rival – causing over £35 billion in economic damage.
Foreign‑ministerial spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the drones with UK components were used to strike Russian territory, citing attacks on a fuel depot in the Rostov region.
Russia launched its full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently controls roughly a fifth of the country’s territory.
The warning comes after a wave of Ukrainian drone attacks, with the latest series producing nine deaths and 23 injuries in Russia, and a Russia‑side strike killing at least seven people in Ukraine.
