Russia's embassy in London accused the United Kingdom of a 'deliberate bet on escalating the Ukrainian crisis' after confirming that British drones were used for the first time in attacks on Russian territory.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Russia has the right to consider the United Kingdom's direct involvement in attacks on its territory as participation in the war. His statement was carried by the Interfax news agency and came after The Sunday Times reported on Saturday that British-made drones were used for the first time in long-range strikes on Russia.
Russia's embassy in London issued a statement accusing the United Kingdom of 'deliberately betting on escalating the Ukrainian crisis.' The statement said Britain is an 'accomplice and co-perpetrator of bloody crimes and terrorist attacks.' The diplomatic mission warned that 'London's actions will inevitably have consequences for which it will have to answer,' adding that the price will be higher the deeper Britain's involvement in the conflict.
Lavrov further clarified Moscow's stance in a statement to TASS. 'Russia has the right to consider the United Kingdom's direct involvement in attacks on its territory as participation in the war,' the Russian minister said, referring to an earlier warning by Russian President Vladimir Putin about Russia's right to act in any part of the world's oceans if someone encroaches on its interests or property.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham responded on Tuesday that his country will support Ukraine '100 percent' in its fight against Russia and will stand by Kyiv 'at its time of greatest need.' A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence told the BBC that Britain stands 'shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine' and that 'Russia should not doubt this Government's determination to stand up to Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies.'
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Britain is 'committed to supplying Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself against Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion.' In April, the British ministry announced the delivery of tens of thousands of drones to Ukraine, including long-range strike drones, as part of the largest aid package since the start of the war, worth £500 million.
According to data reported by the BBC, Ukrainian forces launched about 822 drones at Russia on Saturday evening, with 600 of them aimed at Moscow. The Russian governor described it as 'one of the most massive drone attacks in recent history.' Seven people were killed in the attacks across Russia, while a new wave of strikes on Monday killed nine and injured 23, including a child.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that drones with British components were used in attacks on Russian territory, including a fuel depot in the Kamensky district of the Rostov region. A military source confirmed to the BBC that British drones were used in attacks that caused economic damage exceeding £35 billion.
The Sunday Times reported on Saturday that Ukraine received two types of drones from Britain: one with a range of about 240 kilometers and another with a range of about 960 kilometers. The drones were built by two separate British companies. They were used during the summer campaign of long-range strikes on Russian oil refineries and warehouses of the online retailer Wildberries, known as the 'Russian Amazon.' Ukraine claims that seven of the company's ten largest logistics centers have been disabled.
On Tuesday morning, Russian forces carried out a missile attack on the settlement of Pechenegy in the Kharkiv region. According to local authorities, a road junction with a post office, shops, and residential buildings was hit. Ten people were killed and 17 were injured. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that 'Ukraine will certainly respond to this Russian strike.'
The war in Ukraine has been ongoing since February 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of the country. According to BBC data, Russian forces currently control approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory.
