Russia Warns UK Of Consequences Over Drones Used In Ukraine Strikes

Russia has warned the United Kingdom of “consequences” after the British government confirmed that UK-made drones had been used in recent Ukrainian strikes on military and industrial targets inside Russia.

The Russian Embassy in the UK accused Britain of “deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis,” warning that “the deeper its involvement in the conflict… the higher the price it will pay.”

The embassy added that “London’s actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer,” but did not specify what action Moscow might take.

The warning followed a wave of Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russia, including attacks targeting Moscow, oil refineries and logistics facilities belonging to online retailer Wildberries.

A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Britain stood “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine.

“Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies,” the spokesperson said.

The MoD added that the UK remained “committed to providing the equipment Ukraine needs to defend itself against (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s illegal invasion.”

The UK has been one of Ukraine’s strongest international supporters since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Britain has supplied Kyiv with military equipment, including Storm Shadow missiles and drone technology.

Two British companies are known to have built drones supplied to Ukraine. A military source confirmed to the BBC that UK-made drones had been used in recent attacks on Russian territory, which are reported to have caused more than £35 billion in economic damage.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova had also alleged in 2024 that drones using British components and configurations were used to attack Russian territory, including a fuel depot in the Rostov region.

The latest Russian warning came amid intensified Ukrainian drone attacks.

Russian officials said about 620 drones were launched towards the Moscow region overnight, with Russian air defences destroying more than 180 of them.

Several people were reportedly wounded, while a Wildberries logistics complex sustained what the company described as “minor damage.”

Regional governor Andrey Vorobyov said a 10-year-old girl was among those injured.

On Saturday night, Ukraine reportedly launched about 822 drones towards Russia, including around 600 targeting Moscow, according to regional authorities.

The attacks were described by the Moscow region’s governor as “one of the most massive drone attacks in recent memory.” Seven deaths were reported across Russia.

Ukraine has increasingly relied on domestically developed drone and missile technology, including the FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile, alongside foreign-supplied systems.

The Ukrainian attacks came as Russia continued its missile and drone strikes across Ukraine.

At least 17 people were killed in the latest Russian attacks, including 10 residents of Pechenihy in north-eastern Ukraine.

Private homes, a café and a post office were reportedly hit in the village, with two missiles killing 10 people.

Three people were killed in Sumy, two in Zaporizhzhia and two in Kherson, while five others were wounded in Izium near the eastern front line.

Kyiv also came under five waves of Russian attacks overnight.

The latest escalation has further affected Russia’s domestic fuel supplies and added pressure to its economy, as Ukraine increasingly targets energy, logistics and industrial infrastructure inside Russian territory.

In April, the British Ministry of Defence announced plans to supply Ukraine with tens of thousands of drones, including long-range strike systems, in what it described as its biggest-ever drone package.

Russia currently controls approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory as the war continues into its fifth year.