Russia warns UK of consequences after Ukrainian drone strikes using British-made equipment
Moscow said Ukraine's recent large-scale drone attacks on Russian territory involved British drones and warned London of unspecified repercussions, while the UK defence ministry reaffirmed its support for Ukraine.
Russia's embassy in London accused Ukraine of employing British-made drones in a wave of attacks that hit military, industrial sites and a warehouse of the Russian retailer Wildberries. The embassy said the United Kingdom was "deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis" and warned that "London's actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer".
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson told the BBC that Britain remains "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine and that Russia should have no doubt about the government's resolve to oppose Russian aggression.
According to Moscow's mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, more than 600 drones were directed toward the capital region overnight, prompting temporary flight restrictions at local airports. Regional authorities reported that at least 180 of the drones were shot down, while a drone strike damaged a Wildberries warehouse, other buildings and injured three people, including a child.
The United Kingdom has reiterated its commitment to supplying Ukraine with equipment needed to defend against what it describes as Russia's illegal invasion.