Russia has warned it could strike British military targets both inside and outside of Ukraine in retaliation for Kyiv using long-range British cruise missiles to hit targets deep within Russian territory. The warning came after Moscow accused Ukraine of striking a shopping center in Russian-controlled Donetsk with British Storm Shadow missiles, an attack that reportedly wounded civilians, including children.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated Thursday that Britain was “one step away” from legal complicity in what she termed civilian-targeted “terrorism.” Zakharova cautioned that a failure by Britain to alter its course would lead to “catastrophic consequences.”
"We have repeatedly warned that any British military installations and equipment in Ukraine and beyond its borders could be targeted in response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory carried out using British weapons," Zakharova said during a news briefing in Moscow. She urged British leaders to "immediately, in the most resolute and unequivocal manner, abandon the hostile, aggressive line" to prevent the conflict from escalating to an "entirely new level."
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Ukraine on August 24 for Independence Day, where a defense contractor indicated it could release classified information regarding British components used in the long-range SCALP cruise missile. This development occurred as Ukraine and France are reportedly seeking to establish assembly lines for the missile in Ukraine.
The SCALP missile, which is the French variant of Britain’s Storm Shadow, has a strike range exceeding 155 miles. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov characterized the UK's involvement as "participating in the war" and "pouring fuel on the fire."
A spokesperson for Britain’s Ministry of Defense responded by stating that London stands “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine and is committed to supplying Kyiv with the necessary equipment “to defend itself against (President Vladimir) Putin’s illegal invasion.” The spokesperson added, “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.”
During his visit to Kyiv, Prime Minister Burnham condemned Russia’s “outrageous threats,” asserting that Britain's support for Ukraine would remain steadfast.
This recent escalation follows an August 17 warning from Russia to Britain that it would “pay a price” after The Times reported on August 15 that British-made drones supplied to Ukraine had been used to strike military and industrial targets inside Russia for the first time. The British Ministry of Defense has not confirmed the use of British drones in those strikes.
Separately, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service head Sergei Naryshkin confirmed a meeting with CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Moscow earlier in the week. Naryshkin described the meeting as routine, focused on issues within the intelligence services' purview. President Trump, in remarks to Axios, downplayed concerns about a broader war, stating he was not worried about Russia attacking a NATO member.