Russia has issued a stern warning, stating it could strike British military targets both within and outside Ukraine if Kyiv continues to use long-range British cruise missiles, such as the Storm Shadow, against targets deep inside Russian territory. The threat follows an accusation by Moscow that Ukraine recently struck a shopping center in Russian-controlled Donetsk with British Storm Shadow missiles, an attack that reportedly wounded civilians, including children.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia's Foreign Ministry, stated on Thursday that Britain is now "one step away" from legal complicity in what she described as civilian-targeted "terrorism." She warned that failure to alter its course would result in "catastrophic consequences." Zakharova further elaborated 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." 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."
The SCALP missile, which is the French equivalent of Britain's Storm Shadow, has a strike range of over 155 miles. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, asserted that the U.K. is actively "participating in the war" and "pouring fuel on the fire."
A spokesperson for Britain's Ministry of Defence, however, stated that London stands "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine and is committed to providing the necessary equipment for Kyiv 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."
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham had visited Ukraine on August 24, Ukraine's Independence Day. During his visit, he announced that a defense contractor could release classified information regarding British components used in the long-range SCALP cruise missile, as Ukraine and France explore establishing assembly lines for the weapon within Ukraine. Burnham also condemned Moscow's "outrageous threats" during his visit and affirmed that Britain's support for Ukraine would remain unwavering.
This is not the first warning issued by Russia concerning the use of British-supplied weaponry. On August 17, Russia warned Britain it would pay a "price" after a report in The Times indicated that British-made drones supplied to Ukraine had been used to strike military and industrial targets inside Russia for the first time. Britain's Ministry of Defence did not confirm if British drones were involved in those strikes.
Amidst these escalating tensions, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service chief Sergei Naryshkin confirmed on Thursday that he met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Moscow earlier in the week. Naryshkin described the meeting as routine, focused on matters within the purview of their respective intelligence agencies. The meeting was also characterized as "semi-routine" by President Donald Trump in a separate interview.