Russia has threatened Britain, stating that London will "pay" for its role in Ukraine's use of UK-made drones to strike targets on Russian soil. Moscow's embassy in London issued a statement on Telegram, blaming the UK for an "escalation of the Ukraine crisis" after drones were reportedly used on Russian territory for the first time.
The embassy described the United Kingdom as an "accomplice and co-perpetrator of the bloody crimes and terrorist attacks committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis," adding that "London's actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer."
This escalation follows a report that British drones were utilized for strikes within Russia on Sunday. Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously threatened to seize British ships in the Pacific as a retaliatory measure, framing it as a response to potential orders to arrest Russian shadow fleet tankers.
Reports indicate that drones from two UK companies were supplied to Ukraine, forming part of its deep-strike campaign against Russian oil refineries. This campaign is estimated to have caused over £35 billion in economic damage and contributed to fuel shortages in Russia. One of the drones mentioned is the Nyan, a jet-powered, carbon-fibre attack drone with a wingspan of over 9 feet and a range exceeding 150 miles. It was reportedly used against Belgorod last year. Ukraine has also deployed a second, unidentified British-made drone capable of traveling over 600 miles.
British systems have reportedly been involved in operations targeting Russian oil refineries and other infrastructure over the past six months. This disclosure comes after Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow missiles, although their limited stocks and high cost contrast with the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles.
The first known strikes involving British-supplied systems reportedly occurred in November 2024. In October 2025, Ukraine used British Storm Shadow missiles to strike a chemical plant in southern Russia that produces gunpowder, explosives, and rocket fuel components. Ukraine's General Staff described the facility as a "key facility."
While Ukraine has largely relied on its own domestically produced drones for strikes within Russia, difficulties in obtaining authorization for Western missile usage have persisted. The UK, along with the US and France, has occasionally permitted the use of their supplied weapons, but factors such as low stockpiles and concerns about escalation have slowed down such approvals.