Moscow warns Britain will 'answer' for UK-made drones striking Russian refineries
Russia's embassy in London accused the UK of deliberately escalating the Ukraine war after reports that British-made drones were used in strikes deep inside Russian territory. London said it remains committed to supporting Ukraine.
The Russian Embassy in London has accused the United Kingdom of deliberately escalating the war in Ukraine, following reports that British-made drones were used in long-range strikes on Russian territory.
In a statement, the embassy warned that London's actions would carry consequences it would eventually have to answer for, adding that the deeper Britain's involvement in the conflict and the greater its support for Kyiv, the higher the price it would pay. The embassy did not specify what form any consequences might take. Russia has previously issued similar warnings over Britain's supply of Storm Shadow missiles and drone-manufacturing technology to Ukraine.
Britain's Defense Ministry told the BBC that the country stands "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine and remains committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against the Russian invasion.
Reports on drone origins
The Sunday Times first reported on August 16 that British-made drones had been used in long-range strikes. According to the newspaper, Ukraine recently received two types of drones from the UK — one with a range of roughly 240 kilometers (150 miles), the other around 960 kilometers (600 miles).
The paper said the drones were part of this summer's campaign of long-range strikes on Russian territory, including attacks on oil refineries and warehouses belonging to online retailer Wildberries. A military source later confirmed to the BBC that British-made drones had indeed been used in these operations.
Britain's Defense Ministry announced in April that it would send long-range strike drones to Ukraine as part of a 500-million-pound aid package — the largest since the war began — reportedly including more than 150,000 drones.
Separately, Russian forces carried out a missile strike Tuesday morning on the village of Pechenihy in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, hitting a busy intersection with a post office, shops, and homes. Ukrainian officials said 10 people were killed and 17 injured. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would respond to the strike.
