Russia warns UK over Ukraine drone supplies, says Britain will face ‘consequences’

Russia warned Britain on Monday it would pay a 'price' for its support for Ukraine, including the reported supply of drones used in strikes deep inside Russian territory. The warning has further strained ties between Moscow and London amid escalating long-range drone attacks in the war.Russia’s embassy in London said British actions were making the country an “accomplice and co-perpetrator” in attacks on Russian territory and accused Britain of “deliberately opting for an escalation”.“London’s actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer,” the embassy said in a statement posted on its Telegram channel.“The deeper its involvement in the conflict and the greater its support for Kiev’s terrorist machinery, the higher the price it will pay,” it said.The warning followed reports in the Times and Sunday Times that British-made drones had been used by Ukraine in long-range strikes against military and industrial targets inside Russia. The Sunday Times reported that one of the companies involved was a subsidiary of defence giant BAE Systems, while the second company was not identified for security reasons.Britain’s ministry of defence did not confirm whether British-made drones had been used in the strikes. Responding to the Russian embassy’s comments, a ministry spokesperson said, “Britain stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we are committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against Putin’s illegal invasion.”Britain has remained one of Ukraine’s key military backers since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. London has committed around £25 billion in support, including £16 billion in military aid, while in June it announced plans to provide Ukraine with 150,000 drones by the end of 2026 as part of a £752 million funding package.The warning came as Ukraine intensified its long-range drone campaign against Russia.Moscow said Ukraine launched one of its largest drone attacks on the Russian capital and surrounding areas, with Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin saying 180 drones had been downed over the region. Regional governor Andrei Vorobyov separately said drones struck a Wildberries warehouse and other facilities, injuring at least three people, including a 10-year-old girl.Ukrainian forces also launched almost 800 drones at targets across Russia, according to Russian officials, two days after another large-scale drone attack.At the same time, Russian forces continued strikes on Ukraine. A Russian missile strike on a village in the northeastern Kharkiv region killed at least 10 people and wounded eight, Ukrainian officials said.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.