British-made drones deployed by Ukraine in attacks deep inside Russia, report says
Ukrainian forces have used drones produced by two British companies to strike targets such as oil refineries and logistics sites deep within Russian territory, marking the first reported use of such equipment in the conflict.
Ukrainian military sources told The Times that drones manufactured by two British firms have been employed over the past six months to hit targets deep inside Russia, including oil refineries in Volgograd, sites near Moscow and logistics hubs. The attacks have also targeted transport infrastructure and a major retail outlet belonging to Wildberries, a large online retailer.
One defence source said the operations demonstrate a shift in Western policy, adding that "Russia has been very effective at keeping the West nervous about hitting it too hard. These attacks mean the UK is effectively signalling to Russia and our allies that we’re not [nervous] any more."
The Wiltshire-built Nyan drone, developed by Callen-Lenz, a BAE Systems subsidiary, was used in a strike on Belgorod near the Russian border. According to the company, the unmanned system has a 2.9-metre wingspan and a range of more than 150 miles. A second British-made drone, described by the newspaper as having a range exceeding 600 miles and launched via a catapult system, was also used, though the manufacturer was not named for security reasons.
Ukraine’s drone campaign has intensified, with a recent overnight operation near Moscow involving more than 800 drones, according to Russian authorities. The United Kingdom has previously supplied Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles, but those have a shorter range of about 155 miles and limited stock.
Earlier this year, the UK announced a £752 million contribution to a broader £3.36 billion loan package for Ukraine, earmarked for long-range missiles, advanced air-defence systems and drones. In a separate incident, British-made microcomputers were found in Russian drones, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to call for stricter sanctions on companies involved.