In brief
Russia’s embassy in London has accused the United Kingdom of actively worsening the Ukraine war by supplying British‑made drones that have targeted Russian military and industrial sites. The UK defence ministry defends its support for Ukraine, stressing its commitment to preventing Russian aggression. The drones, built by two UK firms, were reportedly used against refineries, warehouses of the online retailer Wildberries and other strategic locations, causing over £35 billion in damage. Russia warns of diplomatic consequences and highlights the recent surge in drone strikes, while the UK maintains that it stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. The clash underscores the broader international conflict that began with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s embassy in London issued a sharp statement accusing the United Kingdom of escalating the Ukraine conflict by supplying British‑made drones that were used to strike Russian targets.
The Russian mission warned that mounting involvement would bring serious consequences, describing the UK as an accomplice and co‑perpetrator of violent attacks.
In response, a spokesperson from the UK Department of Defence said Britain stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and pledged to provide the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russian aggression.
The drones in question, built by two UK companies, were deployed inside Russia against military sites, refineries and the logistics centers of the online retailer Wildberries. Ukraine claims that seven of the ten largest Wildberries centers have been disabled, and reports estimate that the attacks have caused over £35 billion in economic damage.
The warning follows an escalation of drone strikes on Russia, including an attack that killed nine people and injured 23 on Monday, along with thousands of drones launched toward Moscow. Russian officials noted the use of UK‑designed drones in attacks on a fuel depot in the Rostov region.
Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, and the country now controls about a fifth of Ukrainian territory. The latest tensions highlight the international stakes involved in the conflict and the complex web of support and retaliation that defines the current war.
